Mr.
Goodman: On a point of order, Mr. Amess. Did
you not, in the last sitting, hear a member of the Committee vote yes
and then be allowed
to—
The
Chairman: Order. I wish now to proceed with the
Division. The
Committee having divided: Ayes 5, Noes
10.
Division
No.
23] Question
accordingly negatived.
Mr.
Lilley: I am very grateful to you, Mr. Amess,
for your judgment, with the wisdom of Solomon, in suggesting that I
respond now, rather than on the amendment. My first concern about the
clause is what it will cost. It refers to assistance that may be given
in financial form by way of a grant, loan or guarantee, as the
Secretary of State considers appropriate. To put it more crudely, it
is
an open-ended opportunity to disperse financial patronage, and I would
like to know what sort of order of magnitude of
money—taxpayers’ money—is likely to be disbursed
on this
body. My
second concern is why is it necessary. We have a system called
parliamentary democracy. On average, one in five of our voters is a
resident of social housing. Do we not represent them? Are we not the
representative body that determines policy affecting the social tenants
that elect us? Is it not our duty to make sure that we know about their
concerns, their opportunities, how we could improve the system and how
policy can be introduced? To hive off that responsibility to another
body is to reduce to the responsibility of parliamentarians. Last year,
I introduced a Bill designed to relate the remuneration of Members of
Parliament to their responsibilities. It suggested that a principle
should be established: if we reduce MPs’ responsibilities, MPs
should be paid less. It was not universally popular in the House, but
it seemed to resonate in the
country.
The
Chairman: Order. I had not anticipated that the right hon.
Gentleman was going to make a substantial speech, given that we have
already had the debate on clause stand part. I thought that he just
wished to make an intervention.
Mr.
Lilley: Perhaps I can convert it into a
question.
The
Chairman: I have indication from the Minister that she is
not minded to respond.
10.25
am The
Chairman adjourned the Committee without Question put (Standing Order
No.
88). Adjourned
till this day at One
o’clock.
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