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74 Schedule 4, page 64, line 29, leave out from the beginning to end of line 33 and insert:
'(2) In sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 6A after the words "joint authority", there shall be inserted the words "or a police authority established under section 3 of the Police Act 1964".'.
Earl FerrersMy Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 74. When the Bill was introduced, we chose December to February as the period when the annual meeting should take place, partly because that period would include the police authority's most important annual decision—setting the budget and the precept. Amendments were made subsequently which specified that the chairman is to be appointed at the annual meeting. That means that there is a risk, as the Bill stands, of the chairmanship changing part way through the budgetary process, if the annual meeting has to be between December and January. The amendment adopts the current practice of local authorities whereby the annual meeting takes place in the period March, April or May.
§ Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 74.—(Earl Ferrers.)
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyMy Lords, since we are in congratulatory mood, perhaps I may, on behalf of my honourable friends in another place who proposed the amendment, thank the Government for accepting it.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.