§ Mr. Gerald BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to amend circular 105/73 so as to dispense only those councillors who are not in rent arrears from the obligations and disabilities arising from the pecuniary interest provisions of the Local Government Act 1972.
§ Mr. PortilloNone. We consider that the general dispensation under circular 105/73 does not extend to councillors who are in rent arrears voting on questions relating to such arrears. There is, however, no reason why the existence of arrears, for which there may be a good explanation, should disable a councillor from speaking or voting on other questions of general housing policy.