§ 15 Page 6, line 32, leave out ("each member of which is") and insert ("some or all of the members of which are")
§ 16 Page 6, line 33, leave out ("of") and insert ("for")
§ Lord WhittyMy Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 15 and 16. With the leave of the House, I shall speak also to the other amendments grouped with them. This large group of government amendments is made up of minor technical, consequential and drafting amendments to the provisions in Part II of the Bill and the related issues dealt with in Clause 90 which relate to the social services functions.
These are largely drafting amendments but also respond to certain issues raised in your Lordships' House and in another place. I should particularly like to draw attention to Amendments Nos. 428 to 436 which together with Amendments Nos. 46 to 49 and 51 strengthen the overview and scrutiny arrangements. The Government believe that robust overview and scrutiny committees are central to all executive-based constitutions and equally central to the additional arrangements made available by the noble Baroness's amendments which we agreed earlier.
The amendments include ensuring the position of diocesan representatives in the overview and scrutiny arrangements in education authorities, the importance of which was highlighted in our earlier debates by the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Blackburn, who I gather is on rather happier business today. With these amendments we have met the right reverend prelate's outstanding concerns, as we undertook to do. I hope that noble Lords will support the other amendments in the group.
Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment Nos. 15 and 16.—(Lord Whitty.) On Question, Motion agreed to.