Ms
Keeble: I asked specifically about what constitutes a
bedroom and who decides what is a pair, and I also asked about
precedence. I particularly wanted an answer in Committee because that
will be important for later interpretation of the Bill. Will my right
hon. Friend deal with those specific points? There were also issues
about children under the age of one.
What
precedence does the standard—it may be revised, and I take the
point that it appears likely that housing will be included in the new
list—take over other types of measures? That precise point was
raised earlier: in the absence of the new regulations that the
Government committed themselves to bringing forward some time ago,
there is a plethora of different standards, and the basic one is
abysmally low. That is the one that I read out, which was objected to
75 years
ago.
Mr.
Timms: On the question of what constitutes a bedroom, I
will need to clarify that and come back to my hon. Friend with a bit
more
detail.
Ms
Keeble: The point of being able to ask in Committee is so
that the answer will be in Hansard. An exchange of letters does
not have the same status. It is important to set out what is meant by
the standard, which will have a profound impact on the standard of
housing provided for our constituents. It will have a real effect on
some of the poorest families and children. We need to know the
sequencing of the standards in the Bill, in relation to measures in
other legislation that affects housing for families and
children.
Mr.
Timms: I have said that I will need to check on some of
the points and come back on them. However, there will undoubtedly be
opportunities later in the Committee’s sittings, or on Report,
for me to put that detail on the record, and I shall be happy to do
so. However,
I want to sound a cautionary note, because of course the statutory
regulations under housing law will take precedence. The Bill may well
effectively apply pressure for change, but it would be misleading if I
were to give the Committee the impression that the inclusion of a
particular formulation in the material deprivation index will override
housing law. However, I shall be
happy to come to the Committee or the House with the further detail that
my hon. Friend has asked for, and ensure that it is on the
record. Ms
Keeble: On that basis, and as there will be plenty of
other opportunities to pursue the points of concern, I beg to ask leave
to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment,
by leave,
withdrawn. Clause
3 ordered to stand part of the Bill.
The
Chairman: I remind the Committee of the convention that we
should be careful not to bring beverages into the
room.
1
pm The
Chairman adjourned the Committee without Question put (Standing Order
No.
88). Adjourned
till this day at Four
o’clock.
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