§ 40 Clause 16, page 12, line 33, leave out 'they consider' and insert 'is'.
§ 41 Page 12, line 37, after 'including' insert 'training'.
§ 42 Page 12, line 42, leave out from 'care'" to 'form' in line 44 and insert 'means any'.
§ 43 Page 13, line 1, leave out 'A local authority may provide for children' and insert 'Every local authority shall provide for children in need within their area'.
§ 44 Page 13, line 2, leave out 'they consider' and insert 'is'.
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45 Page 13, line 4, at end insert—
'(5) A local authority may provide such care or supervised activities for children within their area who are attending any school even though those children are not in need'.
§ 46 Page 13, line 5, leave out from '(6)' to end of line 10 and insert 'In this section'.
§ The Lord ChancellorMy Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 40 to 46. The amendments strengthen this important clause which was much debated in this Chamber in Committee, on Report and on Third Reading and in another place. The important matter is the deletion of the words "they consider", which I believe will be welcomed by more than one of your Lordships.
Amendment No. 41 also makes an important point in picking up training as part of the facility that may be provided. Otherwise the amendments are of a technical nature.
Amendments Nos. 43 to 45 make significant changes to Clause 16(5). They put local authorities' duties and powers in respect of day care services and supervised activities outside school hours and in the holidays for school age children on the same footing as their duties and powers for pre-school children. It also follows that local authorities should have a power to provide such services for school-age children who are not in need. Subsection (5) as amended would therefore parallel subsection (1) and the new subsection (5A), subsection (2).
§ Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in the said amendments. —(The Lord Chancellor.)
§ Baroness DavidMy Lords, perhaps I may say how very pleased I am to see Amendments Nos. 40 to 46. We tried very hard to ensure that "they consider" was deleted and "is" inserted at various stages of the Bill. I am also very glad to see training included in the clause. This is all very welcome and I do not understand why it took so long to achieve. However it is very nice that it is here.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.