Clause 52 - Applications for licences
Housing Bill
3:15 pm
Mr Robert Syms (Poole, Conservative)
We are learning a lot about the Bill's implications. The £110 charge per bedsit threw a lot of light on what local authorities could charge. Somebody inspecting a large property in London with 100 or 200 properties could charge £15,000 or £20,000 for doing so, compared with £200 or £300 for a small property. Presumably, if an inspector went into a large property and found that in a number of flats everything including the wiring was fine, it would not be necessary for them to look into every flat, so it would probably be more profitable to inspect 100 or 200 properties because one would quickly get a clear idea of whether the block was well maintained or able to meet the standards. I thank the Minister for the points that he has made. He mentioned that 40p per week was not an awful lot per property, and that it is payable for five years. On that basis, I am minded to withdraw the amendment. I am grateful to the Minister for enlightening us on that part of the process. I am sure that we will return to the matter, and I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Clause 52 ordered to stand part of the Bill.
Clause 53 ordered to stand part of the Bill.