HL Deb 29 July 1999 vol 604 c1747

(" .—(1) A scheme under section (Information schemes) above may at any time—

  1. (a) be revoked by the Mayor; or
  2. (b) be varied by the Mayor in accordance with the terms of the scheme or by agreement between the Mayor and at least two-thirds of the London local authorities.

(2) Before deciding whether to revoke or vary a scheme by virtue of subsection (1) above the Mayor shall consult each London local authority.

(3) Where the Mayor revokes or varies a scheme by virtue of subsection (1) above he shall notify each London local authority of the revocation or variation.

(4) For the purposes of this section "London local authority" means a London borough council or the Common council.")

On Question, amendment agreed to.

Clause 316 [Accommodation for Authority and functional bodies]:

Lord Tope moved Amendment No. 455AYA:

Page 165, line 38, after ("for") insert ("the Authority or")

The noble Lord said: The amendment seeks clarification from the Minister. Clause 316(4) states: The Secretary of State need not provide accommodation for a body under subsection (1)". We seek clarification from the Minister that, although the subsection refers to a body, it does not mean only the functional body but also includes the authority. If the authority should say that it does not need or wish to have the accommodation, the Minister is not still required to provide it. I am sure that the Minister will be able to clarify the provision.

Lord Whitty

Since subsection (4) refers back to subsection (1), its reference is to include paragraphs (a) and (b): that is, the authority and each of the functional bodies. The objective of the noble Lord's amendment is met.

Lord Tope

I felt sure that that was the case. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

[Amendment No. 455AZA had been withdrawn from the Marshalled List.]

Clause 316 agreed to.

Lord Whitty moved Amendment No. 455AZAA:

After Clause 316, insert the following new clause—