Clause 30 - Authorisation of agreements during the prohibition period
Local Government Bill
5:00 pm
Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold, Conservative)
Again, the Minister has, in a reasonable manner, analysed a problem that I had already outlined and he has, also very reasonably, described what the clause would do to remedy the problem. If a section 114 notice is served, it is nonsense if those who are trying to remedy the situation have no budget with which to appoint new people or take whatever steps are necessary, whether that applies to the reletting of contracts or other matters. There must be a default power and the clause makes sense in terms of the nuclear option—the situation would be pretty bad if it had to be used. On that basis, Mr. Conway, I shall not seek to persuade my colleagues to vote to remove the clause, even though the power that it gives is pretty draconian.
Question put and agreed to.
Clause 30 ordered to stand part of the Bill.