§ Lords amendment: No. 81, to leave out Clause 27.
9.45 pm§ Sir George YoungI beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said amendment.
Mr. Deputy SpeakerI remind the House that this amendment involves privilege. With it we may take Lords amendments Nos. 84 and 88.
§ Sir George YoungThese are minor and technical amendments in substitution of what was clause 27 of the Bill. The new clause in amendment No. 84 is designed to cover cases where housing association grant is to be paid on a project of repair and improvement and the project is already under way when the right to buy is claimed or exercised. The effect of the amendments is to enable the Secretary of State to reduce grant in every case where, by the time of payment, the dwelling house has been sold. This will put the Secretary of State in a position to ensure that no loss or no undue profit is made by the housing associations.
§ Mr. Simon HughesOn a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Please excuse my ignorance. Can you tell me what happens when you declare that something involves a question of privilege in the other place? It does not appear to have altered our procedure, but I am sure I ought to know what it means. I have not had the experience of needing to ask before. It would be helpful to be informed now rather than wait another year for it to happen again.
Mr. Deputy SpeakerAll that happens in this House is that we waive the privilege and an appropriate entry is made in the Journal. I am glad that the hon. Gentleman has reminded me. I shall cause the appropriate entry to be made.
§ Question put and agreed to. [Special entry.]