WORKING MEN'S DWELLINGS BILL [H.L.] (Hansard, 18 March 1897)

§ THE MARQUESS OF LONDONDERRY

said the Amendment which he proposed to move was a very simple one, and was moved after the Bill had been dealt with by the Standing Committee, and after consultation with his noble Friend who represented the Local Government Board. His noble Friend had pointed out that the Bill as drafted empowered the local authorities to do what they liked with the house, but it did not give them any authority to obtain possession of that workman's house. Consequently, at his request, he moved as an Amendment the necessary words which gave the local authority power to possess themselves of the house. Sub-section (2) of Clause 3 was as follows:— (2.)If any such condition is broken, the local authority may, after giving the owner an opportunity of remedying the breach, if it is capable of remedy, cause the dwelling-house to be sold. He moved after the word "sold" to insert the words:— And the owner shall thereupon become the tenant-at-will of the local authority. Amendment agreed to; Bill to be Read the Third time To-morrow.