Vote Bundle Text (920205-03)

Amendments proposed to the Home Energy Conservation Bill - continued	House of Commons

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Model schemes and confirmation of schemes

Mr Michael Meacher

NC3

To move the following Clause:—

'For section 346B of the Housing Act 1985 there is substituted—

(2) A registration scheme which—

(a)	conforms to the model scheme, or

(b)	does not conform to the model scheme by reason only of containing provisions of a description prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State,

does not require confirmation by the Secretary of State and comes into force on such date (at least one month, but not more than three months, after the making of the scheme) as may be specified in the scheme.

(3) If—

(a)	a registration scheme varies a previous registration scheme, and

(b)	the scheme as varied falls within subsection (2)(a) or (b),

the registration scheme making the variation does not require confirmation by the Secretary of State and comes into force on such date (at least one month, but not more than three months, after the making of the scheme) as may be specified in the scheme.

(4) Any other registration scheme does not come into force unless confirmed by the Secretary of State.

(5) The Secretary of State may vary a scheme before confirming it.

(6) A scheme requiring confirmation comes into force one month after it is confirmed.

(7) If the Secretary of State varies or withdraws the model registration scheme, the registration scheme made by a local housing authority is revoked at the end of the relevant period unless during that period—

(a)	the scheme is revoked by another registration scheme made by the authority,

(b)	the scheme is varied so as to fall within subsection (2)(a) or (b), or

(c)	the scheme is re-confirmed by the Secretary of State or the authority make a registration scheme varying the scheme which is confirmed by him.

(9) Any power to make regulations under this section is exercisable by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.".'.

Control provisions

Mr Michael Meacher

NC4

To move the following Clause:—

'(1) Section 348 of the Housing Act 1985 (control provisions: decisions on applications and appeals) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph (c) of subsection (1)—

(a)	for "works" there is substituted "steps", and

(b)	for "executed" there is substituted "taken".

(3) After that subsection there is inserted—

(1B) The standards that may be prescribed in the regulations include—

(a)	safety standards,

(b)	energy efficiency standards, and

(c)	standards relating to the fixtures, fittings and furnishings in the house.

(1D) Any power to make regulations under this section is exercisable by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.".

(4) In subsections (2)(b) and (3)(b), for "execution of works" there is substituted "taking of steps".

(5) In section 348A of the Housing Act 1985(1)(b) (control provisions: other decisions and appeals), for "works are executed" there is substituted "steps are taken".'

Wales

Mr Michael Meacher

NC5

To move the following Clause:—

'(1) The reference to the Housing Act 1985 in Schedule 1 to the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/ 672) is to be treated as referring to that Act as amended by this Act.

(2) Subsection (1) does not affect the power to make further Orders varying or omitting that reference.'.

Meaning of "house in multiple occupation"

Mr Michael Meacher

NC7

To move the following Clause:—

'(1) Section 345 of the Housing Act 1985 (meaning of "multiple occupation") is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (2)(b), for "by a single household" there is substituted "as a separate dwelling.

(3) After subsection (2) there is inserted—

(a)	circumstances in which a person is, or is not, to be regarded as occupying a house, or

(b)	circumstances in which persons occupying a house are, or are not, to be regarded as forming a single household.

(5) In subsection (4) "prescribed relationship" means any family or other relationship of a description specified in the regulations.

"(6) The Secretary of State may also make regulations prescribing descriptions of houses which (whether or not otherwise falling within the definition in subsection (1)) are not to be regarded as houses in multiple occupation within the meaning of this Part.

(7) Regulations under subsection (6) may frame a description of house by reference to any features of the house (including the nature of its use or occupation).

(8) Regulations under this section—

(a)	may make different provision for different circumstances;

(b)	may make incidental, supplementary and transitional provision; and

(c)	shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.".'.

As an Amendment to Mr Michael Meacher's proposed New Clause (NC7) (Meaning of "house in multiple occupation"):

Mr John Baron [R]

(a)

Line 10, at end insert—

'(3A) Regulations made under subsection (2) shall include in any definition of "house in multiple occupation" a house occupancy of which is or would be subject to more than one tenancy agreement whether written or verbal.'.

Mr Michael Meacher

Title, line 2, leave out from beginning to second 'to' and insert 'accommodation'.

Mr Michael Meacher

Title, line 2, before the second 'to' insert 'to amend the definition of house in multiple occupation in Part 11 of the Housing Act 1985;'.

Mr Michael Meacher

Title, line 3, leave out from beginning to 'schemes' and insert 'amend the law relating to registration'.




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