§ Mr. RaisonI beg to move, that this House doth agree with the Lords in the said amendment.
§ Mr. RaisonDuring the debate on the Second Reading of the Bill in another place, it was pointed out that many provisions in recent local Acts would be superseded by the provisions of the Bill. It was asked why in those circumstances repeals had been included in schedule 7 only in respect of provisions which corresponded to clause 1 or which were consequential on clause 11. The Government said then that they accepted in principle the need to repeal local Act provisions which were either being replaced by mandatory provisions in the Bill or which modified provisions in public general Acts which were also amended in similar respects by the Bill. We promised that the matter would be discussed with the local authority associations with a view to introducing suitable amendments. Amendments Nos. 221 and 222 fulfil that promise.
The repeals cover only the two limited categories mentioned. Repeals of corresponding local Act provisions have not been included in the Bill where the provisions in the Bill are only adoptive.
Amendments Nos. 219, 220, 223, 224 and 225 are drafting amendments.
As this is the last of our debates, Mr. Deputy Speaker, may I say, as others have, that the idea weeks ago that this would be a wholly and totally non-controversial Bill has not been altogether borne out. There have been arguments about sex shops, fish and chip shops and pop festivals. I believe that we have reached the right outcome, and I thank the House. I also thank my officials, who have worked extremely hard in preparing all the amendments and changes.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Lords amendments Nos. 220 to 225 agreed to.