Clause 14 - Information
Local Government Bill
11:00 am
Mr Edward Davey (Kingston and Surbiton, Liberal Democrat)
I, too, welcome the hon. Member for Cotswold. I have served on Committees with him before and it has always been a pleasure.
These are indeed probing amendments and they have been useful, because the Minister has said on the record that the Government will not make requests unreasonably, but that if they do, local authorities can challenge the requests. He has also said that the Government do not intend to use the power willy-nilly and that they will think about the costs that they impose on local authorities. It is good that we have got that on the record. We will hold the Government to account when they use the powers. If, over time, we see the powers being abused, the House may need to return to the matter. Through the usual channels and with local government, we will be watching. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Clause 14 ordered to stand part of the Bill.