Monday, 31 March 2008
The Secretary of State was asked—
What steps his Department is taking to increase the take-up of benefit entitlements by pensioners.
What progress has been made by local employment partnerships in assisting disadvantaged people into work; and if he will make a statement.
What steps he is taking to provide personalised support for those out of work.
What steps his Department is taking to tackle child poverty.
What progress has been made on reviewing support for working carers; and if he will make a statement.
What safeguards his Department plans to put in place to ensure that lone parents who cannot find suitable child care will not be required to take up jobs under the jobseeker's allowance...
What proportion of telephone calls to Jobcentre Plus were answered in the most recent period for which figures are available.
How many people had been on incapacity benefit for more than five years at the most recent date for which a figure is available.
What steps his Department is taking to encourage employers to recognise the contribution of older people in the workplace.
What recent progress has been made in implementing city strategies on welfare to work.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.
: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport to make a statement on the problems occurring for passengers at Heathrow terminal 5 and the security measures in place at the terminal.
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I am conscious, as is the whole House, that you are extremely vigilant in seeking to protect the interests of the House to ensure that important announcements...
I beg to move, That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Housing and Regeneration Bill, it is expedient to authorise— (1) provision about the fiscal consequences of transfer...
As amended in the Public Bill Committee, considered.
'Schedule (Possession orders relating to certain tenancies) (which makes provision about possession orders and their effect on secure tenancies, assured tenancies, introductory tenancies and...
'(1) After paragraph 3 of Schedule 4A to the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 (c. 88) (exclusion from enfranchisement for certain shared ownership leases granted by housing associations) insert—...
'Schedule (Service charges: provision of information and designated accounts) (which relates to the provision of information about service charges and to service charge funds) has...
'(1) The HCA must exercise its powers under section 22 to give financial assistance by way of grant to a relevant provider of social housing in respect of any discount given by the...
'(1) This section applies in relation to a registered provider which— (a) is a registered company other than a charity, and (b) is exempt from the audit requirements of the Companies Act...
'(1) The report required by section [companies exempt from audit] must be prepared by a person ("the reporting accountant") who is eligible under section [exempt companies: reporting accountant]....
'(1) A person is eligible for appointment by a company as a reporting accountant under section [exempt companies: accountant's report] if— (a) either of the following conditions is...
'(1) The provisions of the Companies Act 2006 listed in subsection (2) apply to the reporting accountant and a reporting accountant's report as they apply to an auditor of the company and an...
'(1) This section applies where, in accordance with section [companies exempt from audit] a company appoints a reporting accountant to prepare a report in respect of its accounts for any year....
'(1) During a moratorium the regulator may appoint an interim manager of the registered provider. (2) An appointment may relate to the registered provider's affairs generally or to affairs...
'(1) The tenant of a dwelling in England has a right to acquire the dwelling if— (a) the landlord is a registered provider or a registered social landlord, (b) the tenancy is within...
'(1) The provision of a dwelling was publicly funded if any of the following conditions is satisfied. (2) Condition 1 is that— (a) the dwelling was provided by a person in fulfilment of a...
'(1) This section applies for the purposes of determining whether a dwelling has remained in the social rented sector. (2) A dwelling shall be treated as having remained in the social rented...
'(1) The definitions in this section apply to sections [right to acquire] to [interpretation: "remained in the social rented sector"]. (2) The HCA gives "assistance" to a person if it— (a)...
'(1) Section 17 of the Housing Act 1996 (c. 52) (right to acquire: supplemental) applies in relation to the right to acquire under section [right to acquire] of this Act with the modifications...
'(1) In section 16 of the Housing Act 1996 (c. 52) (right to acquire)— (a) for subsection (1) substitute— "(1) The tenant of a dwelling in Wales has a right to acquire the dwelling...
'(1) This section applies where the regulator is deciding— (a) whether to exercise a power under this Chapter, (b) which power under this Chapter to exercise, or (c) how to exercise a power...
'(1) This section applies if as a result of an inquiry under section 192 or an audit under section 196 the regulator is satisfied that— (a) a non-profit registered provider which is an...
'(1) The Secretary of State shall, by regulations made by statutory instrument, set out a code of practice to govern local authority consultations with tenants concerning— (a) a change of...
'(1) In section 80 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42) (calculation of Housing Revenue Account subsidy) after subsection (3) insert— "(3A) In determining a formula for the...
'"Community land trust" means a non-profit organisation which is an industrial and provident society, a company limited by guarantee or other incorporated body whose governing instrument contains...
Amendments made: No. 16, in page 2, line 2 leave out 'and'. No. 17, line 4, at end insert 'and (d) to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development in England,'.— [Liz Blackman.]
Amendment made: No. 18, in page 2, line 39, after 'HCA', insert '(whether contained in this Part or elsewhere)'.— [Liz Blackman.]
Amendments made: No. 19, in page 9, line 31, after 'time', insert 'and subject as follows'. No. 20, line 39, leave out 'any occupied' and insert 'the'. No. 21, line 40, leave out 'the occupier'...
Amendment made: No. 24, in page 10, line 19, leave out 'any' and insert 'the'.— [Liz Blackman.]
Amendment made: No. 60, in page 12, line 7, leave out '38' and insert '(Duty to give financial assistance in respect of certain disposals)'.— [Liz Blackman.]
Amendment made: No. 25, in page 15, line 15, leave out Clause 34.— [Liz Blackman.]
Amendments made: No. 135, in page 16, line 25, leave out 'the social housing assistance' and insert 'any social housing assistance given by way of grant'. No. 136, line 28, at end insert—...
Amendment made: No. 29, in page 23, line 7, at end insert— '(5) Schedule [Transfer schemes: tax] makes provision about the tax implications of schemes under this section (and schemes under...
Amendment made: No. 26, in page 23, line 43 , leave out 'and other facilities' and insert ', facilities or other assistance'.— [Liz Blackman.]
Amendment made: No. 6, in page 32, line 2 , at end insert— '(3) Omit section 33A of the Housing Associations Act 1985 (c. 69) (provision of services between the Corporations).'.—...
Amendment made: No. 30, in page 32, line 16, at end insert— '(5) Schedule [Transfer schemes: tax] makes provision about the tax implications of schemes under this section (and schemes...
Amendment made: No. 61, in page 33, line 12 , leave out 'for rental'.— [Liz Blackman.]
Amendments made: No. 62, in page 33, line 43 , leave out first 'accommodation' and insert 'property'. No. 63, line 43, leave out second 'accommodation' and insert 'property'. No. 64, in page 34,...
Amendment made: No. 66, in page 39, line 16, at end insert '(including by promoting the availability of financial services to registered providers of social housing)'.— [Liz Blackman.]
Amendment made: No. 67, in page 48, line 14 , after 'principles', insert— '(a) shall provide for section 97(3) to be disregarded for the purpose of subsection (5)(a), and (b) .'.—...
Amendments made: No. 68, in page 51, line 29, leave out 'non-profit'. No. 69, line 30, at end insert— '(1A) A direction may be given to a profit-making registered provider only in so far...
Amendment made: No. 70, in page 52, line 14, leave out 'non-profit'.— [Liz Blackman.]
Amendment made: No. 71, in page 52, line 25, leave out 'non-profit'.— [Liz Blackman.]
Amendments made: No. 72, in page 55, line 25, at end insert— '(d) section [companies exempt from audit].'. No. 73, line 28, at end insert— '(c) section [exempt companies:...
Amendments made: No. 74, in page 56, line 9, leave out 'non-profit'. No. 75, line 10, leave out 'non-profit'.— [Liz Blackman.]
Amendment made: No. 76, in page 56, line 20, leave out Clause 139.— [Liz Blackman.]
Amendments made: No. 77, in page 57, line 27, leave out 'making of an order' and insert 'presenting of a petition' No. 78, line 30, at end insert— 'But not the presenting of a petition...
Amendments made: No. 80, in page 58, line 1, after '28', insert 'working'. No. 81, line 6, after 'provider', insert 'whom the regulator is able to locate after making reasonable enquiries'. No....
Amendment made: No. 83, in page 58, line 32, after 'provider', insert 'whom the regulator is able to locate after making reasonable enquiries'.— [Liz Blackman.]
Amendment made: No. 84, in page 59, line 1, at end insert— '(A1) During a moratorium the HCA— (a) may not give the registered provider a direction under section 36(4), and (b) may...
Amendments made: No. 85, in page 59, line 30, after 'by', insert '— (a) section [right to acquire], or (b) '. No. 86, line 31, after 'housing', insert 'in Wales'.— [Liz Blackman.]
Amendments made: No. 87, in page 60, line 23, leave out 'its secured creditors' and insert 'such of its secured creditors as the regulator is able to locate after making reasonable enquiries'....
Amendments made: No. 92, in page 62, line 33, after 'society', insert '— (a) an instrument providing for the amalgamation of the society with another industrial and provident society, or...
Amendments made: No. 95, in page 68, line 2, after 'under', insert '— (a) section [right to acquire], or (b) '. No. 96, line 2, leave out '(as applied by section 172)' and insert...
Amendment made: No. 97, in page 68, line 37, at end insert— '(za) net proceeds of sale to a tenant in pursuance of the right to acquire conferred by section [right to acquire],'.—...
Amendments made: No. 98, in page 69, line 35, leave out 'shall continue to have effect in relation to social housing in England' and insert 'apply in relation to disposals of social housing by...
Amendments made: No. 103, in page 70, line 30, leave out 'and'. No. 104, line 33, at end insert ', and (c) section 173 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42) (consent to certain...
Amendment made: No. 105, in page 72, line 4, at end insert— '(4) In section 173 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42) (consent to certain disposals of housing obtained from...
Amendments made: No. 106, in page 72, leave out line 21. No. 107, line 26, leave out paragraphs (a) and (b). No. 108, line 42, at end insert— '(3) In setting standards the regulator shall...
Amendment made: No. 109, in page 73, line 6, at end insert— '(3) In setting standards the regulator shall have regard to the desirability of registered providers being free to choose how...
Amendment made: No. 110, in page 73, line 27, at end insert— '(2) Before setting a standard which would apply to charities, or issuing, revising or withdrawing a code of practice which...
Amendments made: No. 111, in page 73, line 30, leave out 'or'. No. 112, line 31, at end insert ', or (c) to have regard to specified objectives when setting standards under section 180 or 181.'....
Amendments made: No. 115, in page 78, line 23, leave out subsections (2) and (3) and insert— '(2) An amendment of the society's rules requires consent if it— (a) alters the society's...
Amendments made: No. 120, in page 79, line 3, leave out subsections (2) and (3) and insert— '(2) An amendment of the company's articles of association requires consent if it— (a)...
Amendment made: No. 124, in page 80, line 31, at end insert— '(10A) Case 10 is where the registered provider has failed to comply with an order made by an ombudsman appointed by virtue of...
Amendment made: No. 125, in page 92, line 40, after 'specified', insert 'non-profit'.— [Liz Blackman.]
Amendment made: No. 126, in page 98, line 8, at end insert— '(2A) The regulator may appoint more than a minority of the officers of a registered provider only if— (a) the provider...
Amendment made: No. 127, in page 101, line 32, at end insert— '"working day" means a day other than— (g) a Saturday or Sunday,(h) Christmas Day or Good Friday, or(i) a day which is a...
Amendment made: No. 128, in page 103, line 14, at end insert— 'Working day Section 261'. — [Liz Blackman.]
Amendment made: No. 31, in page 115, line 9, at end insert— '(5A) Any regulations which provide for the appropriate person to approve a proposal for a local housing authority to dispose of...
Amendment made: No. 32, in page 120, line 36, leave out Clause 286.— [Liz Blackman.]
Amendments made: No. 33, in page 121, line 6, after '3', insert 'or 3A'. No. 34, in page 121, line 8, leave out 'sub-paragraph (2) of that paragraph' and insert 'sub-paragraph (1A); (aa) any...
Amendments made: No. 40, in page 122, line 25, at end insert— '(2A) A request under subsection (2)(b) must— (a) be in writing; (b) state the reason it is being made; and (c) confirm...
Amendments made: No. 44, in page 131, line 37, at end insert— '( ) an order of the Secretary of State under paragraph 19(4) or 21(2) or (4) of Schedule (Possession orders relating to...
Amendments made: No. 48, in page 133, line 31, leave out '287' and insert '(Service charges: provision of information and designated accounts)'. No. 49, line 31, after '301', insert 'and...
Overview 1 This Schedule makes provision about the fiscal effect of transfers under schemes made under sections 53 and 67. Key concepts 2 (1) In this Schedule— (a) "transfer scheme" means...
Housing Act 1985 (c. 68) 1 The Housing Act 1985 is amended as follows. 2 (1) Section 82 (security of tenure: date on which secure tenancy comes to an end as a result of a possession order etc.)...
Circumstances in which replacement tenancies arise 15 In this Part of this Schedule "an original tenancy" means any secure tenancy, assured tenancy, introductory tenancy or demoted tenancy—...
Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (c. 70) 1 The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 is amended as follows. 2 For section 21 (as substituted by section 152 of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 (c....
Amendment made: No. 27, in page 175, line 12, at end insert— 'Greater London Authority Act 1999 (c. 29) 8A The Greater London Authority Act 1999 is amended as follows. 8B (1) Section 333A...
Amendments made: No. 51, in page 189, line 44, column 2, at beginning insert— 'In section 85(3)(a), the words from "or payments" to "profits),".'. No. 7, in page 189, line 50, at end...
I beg to move, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Northern Rock plc Transfer Order 2008 (S.I., 2008, No. 432), dated 21st February 2008, a copy of which was laid...
I propose to put motions 4, 5 and 6 together. Motion made, and Question put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118(6) (Delegated Legislation Committees),
That the draft Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments) (Taxes and National Insurance) Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 20th February, be approved.
That the draft Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments etc) Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 27th February, be approved.
That the draft Sex Discrimination (Amendment of Legislation) Regulations 2008, which were laid before this House on 6th March, be approved. —[Steve McCabe.] Question agreed to.
Being cognisant of the need for brevity as there is an important Adjournment debate to follow, I shall simply tell the House that the petition I seek to present this evening relates to the Perry...
Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn. —[Steve McCabe.]
Debates in the House of Commons are an opportunity for MPs from all parties to scrutinise government legislation and raise important local, national or topical issues.
And sometimes to shout at each other.