HC Deb 30 June 1981 vol 7 c786
Mr. Rifkind

I beg to move amendment No. 33, in page 14, line 26, after 'providing' insert ', subject to subsection (10A) below'.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

With this it will be convenient to take Government amendments Nos. 35 and 36

Mr. Rifkind

These amendments all arise out of the very natural concern of the Opposition that, such has been the enormous interest by council tenants in purchasing their homes, a spouse who has acquired the tenancy of a council house through the activation of this clause might, but for the new amendments, find herself required to pay compensation to the other spouse who, having lost the right to buy the house by no longer being the tenant, the tenancy having been transferred, could be said to have suffered a financial loss.

We accept the Opposition's argument that this is not a theoretical problem but one which in the present circumstances could arise in a large number of the many thousands of cases currently being dealt with in Scotland. In those circumstances, we accept that this would be an improper area in which to expect compensation to be paid. We were therefore happy to table the amendments, as I said in Committee.

Mr. Dewar

It is always a pleasure to see the Minister enjoying himself. A small opportunity is usually abused, and again it has been, but I will content myself—

It being Ten o'clock, the debate stood adjourned.

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