§ Mr. Staintonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will amend the operational criteria of the Property Services Agency so as to avoid its acquisition and construction of official accommodation, as in the case of the conjectured wealth tax, prior to any relevant legislation being laid before the House, or until it is debated and approved.
§ Mr. MarksNo. A Government may, very exceptionally, need to authorise the PSA to enter into commitments before legislation is laid or debated so that the necessary accommodation can be provided in time. The House is always informed. In the case of the wealth tax my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary gave a Written Answer on 13th March 1975 and a Supplementary Estimate was subsequently approved.—[Vol. 888, c.214–15.]