§ Mr. Gwilym JonesI beg to move amendment No. 61, in page 31, line 29, leave out from beginning to end of line 1 on page 32.
I must first thank the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney (Mr. Rowlands) who helped us reach the conclusion that clause 38 can be deleted. In Standing Committee, he asked whether the assets referred to in subsection (1) could include, for instance, council houses whose finances are dealt with in the housing revenue account and whether, therefore, the clause duplicated the order-making power in clause 54, which provides for the transfer of property rights and liabilities.
The answer to his question was that clause 38 would not operate in that way, but we have looked at the position again and concluded that clause 54 gives my right hon. Friend all the necessary power to transfer assets and clause 38 can therefore be deleted.
§ Mr. MurphyI wish simply to place on record the fact that at least four columns of the Committee Hansard were devoted to the Government's defence of clause 38. I am extremely grateful that the Minister has conceded that the clause is unnecessary, but more importantly agreed that my hon. Friend the Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney (Mr. Rowlands), as he did in all the proceedings of the Committee, made an outstanding contribution to the success of that Standing Committee.
§ Amendment agreed to.