URBAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS (Hansard, 15 July 1980)

§ Mr. Stephen Ross
I beg to move amendment No. 246, in page 181, line 30, after 'locality', insert 'and community'.
I acknowledge straight away that we had a debate on a similar amendment on this subject in Committee. At that time the Minister who replied was from the 1393 Scottish Office and I think that he thought that he was going to get away with it lightly. But that amendment led to a lengthy debate, because the interpretation of the word "locality" seemed to be taken rather more widely by the Department than by Opposition Members. In other words, I understand the word "locality" to mean land and buildings, and I understand the word "community" to mean people.
The Minister suggested that he had a wider definition in mind. However, it is only right to return to the subject on Report to ask that the word "community" should be added to the Bill or at least that a much greater undertaking be given to the House. It is important that members of the corporation are drawn from those who have a special knowledge of both the community—by which I mean the residents—and the locality. I very much hope that the Minister will be able to go a little further than he did before.

§ Mr. King
This debate relates to the appointing of members of the corporation who have special knowledge of the locality. The hon. Gentleman put the point extremely fairly. We discussed it in Committee. It is certainly not intended that the word "locality" applies purely to the physical location of the area. It is intended that it should apply to the local community. It is taken directly from the New Towns Act, where it has proved to be effective. It is felt that the new towns have achieved effective local representation.
In case there is any doubt, and while I cannot recommend acceptance of the amendment, I give the assurance from this Dispatch Box that the word "locality" is not intended to refer purely to land and buildings but is also intended to include the local community.

§ Mr. Ross
I wish that the Minister would accept the amendment. We talked about the New Towns Act earlier, yet we differ from that Act in this Bill. Here is a chance to go along with it, yet the Government do not take it.
I accept the Minister's undertaking. I just hope that he is in office long enough to make sure that it is adhered to. However, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.