HC Deb 08 July 1991 vol 194 cc698-9

Lords amendment: No. 41, in page 54, line 3, leave out "25 per cent." and insert "the specified proportion".

Mr. Chope

I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said amendment.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

With this we may take Lords amendment No. 42.

Mr. Chope

The amendment introduces some flexibility for local authorities over the amount of the discount that they can provide for prompt payment of the penalty charge.

Mr. Corbyn

I do not disagree with the amendment, but I believe that the principle is ridiculous. Local authorities should not be penalised by the director, who is not answerable to the people of London. A fundamentally undemocratic principle is being foisted on the House, yet again. Although I accept the modification of the original proposal because it is not as bad as it might have been, it does not mean that we willingly accept the principle of the right of the director to penalise local authorities.

Question put and agreed to.

Subsequent Lords amendment agreed to.

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