Clause 22
Housing and Regeneration Bill
5:15 pm
Iain Wright (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Communities and Local Government; Hartlepool, Labour)
We have had a short debate, but this is an important clause and an important amendment. I understand what the hon. Member for North-East Bedfordshire was striving for by tabling the amendment, but I suggest, with the greatest of respect, that it is not needed.
I like the way in which these themes are emerging in our discussions, but the amendment, which is based on the corresponding section in the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993, would require the agency to attach specific terms and conditions when providing financial assistance, rather than allowing the flexibility, as is currently the case, to attach such terms and conditions as it feels are appropriate in the circumstances.
Subsection (4) allows for that flexibility. It should be remembered that the agency might be dealing with small local bodies as well as large national bodies when it provides assistance. I think that the hon. Gentleman would probably agree that the terms and conditions attached would no doubt be different in each case. Also, let us not forget that subsection (1) requires the agency to obtain
“the consent of the Secretary of State”
prior to giving that assistance.
The hon. Gentleman asked for further clarification about who would be able to access funding. I would like to put on record that I suggest that assistance would go to agencies that were focused on improving the supply and quality of housing and also on the regeneration of communities. They will be able to access funding from the HCA, and I suggest that that would include registered social landlords, housing associations and local authorities. We have talked a lot this afternoon about the importance of local authorities. We have talked throughout our discussions about the importance of local authorities stepping up to the plate so that they are able to deliver the housing needed in their area. I imagine that they will be able to secure financial assistance from the HCA to do so.