HL Deb 25 June 1973 vol 343 c1773

[No.44]

Clause 16, page 20, line 19 at end insert— (4A) Where any property transferred from a local authority or a local education authority to the Secretary of State by virtue of this section consists of uncompleted buildings which were being constructed by the authority, the authority may complete the buildings on such terms as it may agree with the Secretary of State.

LORD ABERDARE

My Lords, the purpose of this Amendment is to ease the transition of some health building schemes, such as health centres or ambulance stations, which are under construction on the Appointed Day and are to be transferred from the local authority to the Secretary of State. I beg to move.

Moved, That this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.—(Lord Aberdare.)

BARONESS SEROTA

My Lords, I assume there is nothing in this that will restrict the continuation of any building work already in progress in these very vital areas of development of the Service?

LORD ABERDARE

No, my Lords. The idea is that it will usually be convenient to arrange for the local authority which has started a building scheme to complete it. As the Bill was originally drafted this would not have been possible if the work was being undertaken by the local authority's own direct labour organisation. This is to overcome that obstacle.

BARONESS SEROTA

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord. This is an improvement.

On Question, Motion agreed to.