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No. 21, in page 155, line 27, at end insert—
'(7) In this Act "modify", in the context of a power to modify an enactment by order or regulations, includes repeal (and "modifications" has a corresponding meaning).'.—[Paul Clark.]
Clause 220
Amendments made: No. 60, in page 161, line 43, at end insert 'in occupation as'.
No. 61, in page 162, line 2, after 'are' insert 'in occupation as'.—[Paul Clark.]
Clause 226
Amendments made: No. 22, in page 163, line 17, leave out
'8, 153, 164, 180, 209'
and insert
'2, 8, 142 to 144, 153, 164, 180, (Overcrowding), 193, 194, 203, 207, 209, 211'.
No. 23, in page 163, line 21, at end insert—
'Subsections (3) to (7) have effect subject to paragraph (b).'
No. 24, in page 163, leave out lines 24 and 25 and insert—
'(a) sections 157, 158 to 163, 168 to 179, 182, 184, 185, 187, 204 to 206, 208, 210 and 212 to 220,'.
No. 25, in page 163, line 33, leave out 'section' and insert 'sections 2 and'.
No. 26, in page 163, line 35, after '156,', insert
'(Exceptions to the right to buy: determination whether exception for dwelling-house suitable for elderly persons applies),'.
No. 27, in page 163, line 35, after '167,', insert '186,'.
No. 28, in page 163, line 38], leave out 'section' and insert
'sections 142 to 144 and'.—[Paul Clark.]
Schedule 10
Amendments made: No. 79, in page 215, line 41, at end insert—
'(1A) Procedure regulations may include provision enabling a single qualified member of the panel to decide whether an oral hearing is appropriate in a particular case.'.
No. 80, in page 216, line 3, leave out 'sub-paragraph (2)' and insert 'this paragraph'.—[Paul Clark.]
11 May 2004 : Column 272
Schedule 12
Amendment made: No. 30, in page 230, line 5, leave out
'34 In section 210(1) of the Housing Act 1996'
and insert—
'34 The Housing Act 1996 has effect subject to the following amendments.
34A In section 52(1) (general provisions as to orders) after "17," insert "27A,".
34B In section 210'.—[Paul Clark.]
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Consideration completed.
Mr. Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst) (Con): On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I know that you are bound by convention, but is it not a bit rich in the circumstances that you are forced to say that consideration of the Bill has been completed? In the last part of the guillotined timetable, eight groups of amendments and new clauses were not even debated, including 24 Government amendments and new clauses. There was no opportunity to debate or divide on those matters, and yet again the House has been compromised and insulted. Would you consider, Mr. Deputy Speaker, asking Mr. Speaker if the words that you are forced to utter could be changed, perhaps to "Consideration only partly completed? Sadly, the House of Commons has not been able to do its duty due to the Government's heavy-handedness.
Mr. Clive Betts (Sheffield, Attercliffe) (Lab): Further to that point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. According to the conventions of the House, is it reasonable for the right hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Mr. Forth) to raise the curtailment of consideration when he did not participate in that consideration at all?
Mr. Deputy Speaker: These are not matters on which I can rule at this point in time. They were debated by the House earlier today in the debate on the programme motion. Any time that we spend on them is simply time taken out of Third Reading.
6.39 pm
Keith Hill: I beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time.
I thank all Members of the House for their informed, constructive and—I had intended to say universally positive contributions to the debate, but perhaps I should rethink that observation, in the light of the most recent intervention.
Mr. Kidney: Earlier in our proceedings my right hon. Friend generously mentioned my eager anticipation of new clause 15 dealing with empty homes. While we are all in a constructive mood, will he say whether he plans in another place to include arrangements in the Bill to deal with empty homes?
Keith Hill:
I am not in a position to anticipate that development, but just as I alluded to my hon. Friend's
11 May 2004 : Column 273
appearance earlier today on the "Today" programme, where he spoke on that subject, he will have seen my quotation in the media, in the Financial Times yesterday, in which I was reported as saying that I strongly favoured the introduction of legislation on empty homes. I would say, in the circumstances, "enough said".
Bob Spink: Will the Minister give way?
Keith Hill: How can I resist the hon. Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink)?
Bob Spink: I am delighted, but the right hon. Gentleman might wish he had resisted me. He has just thanked me for my contribution, yet his programme motion prevented me from making my contribution. Does he think that is appropriate?
Keith Hill: The hon. Gentleman—
Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. I do not think we want to revisit the programme motion or the timing of the debate.
Keith Hill: I entirely agree and bow to your judgment, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I merely want to say that through correspondence and other interventions, the hon. Member for Castle Point is constantly in my thoughts. Of course, I seek to serve in every possible respect.
Mr. Clifton-Brown: On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. As I understand it, on Third Reading the convention of the House is that one can speak only about what is actually in a Bill, not about what might be in a Bill. Would it therefore be in order to discuss what might have been in the Bill as a result of the amendments that we were not able to debate because of the Government's severe timetabling of the Bill?
Mr. Deputy Speaker: The hon. Gentleman can safely leave such matters to the Chair.
Keith Hill: As I was saying, for the third time, the Government are committed to creating thriving, inclusive, sustainable communities and we have already done much to deliver that. We have made significant progress in improving housing supply in the south-east and other growth areas and in addressing renewal and regeneration in the north. Last week my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister led celebrations to mark the bringing of 1 million homes in the social sector up to a decent standard. But of course we need to do more. Communities are more than bricks and mortar. The Bill will help create a fairer, more efficient housing market and protect the most vulnerable in housing. The Bill will help—
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