Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 4:03 pm on 17 January 2011.
The Secretary of State advocated the power of general competence as a means of increasing the freedoms of local authorities. However, clause 5(3) states:
"The Secretary of State may by order make provision preventing local authorities from doing, in exercise of the general power, anything which is specified, or is of a description specified, in the order."
Does that not completely negate the supposed freedoms?