Third Reading

Part of Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL] – in the House of Lords at 4:30 pm on 29 April 2009.

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Photo of Lord Patel of Bradford Lord Patel of Bradford Government Whip, Government Whip 4:30, 29 April 2009

My Lords, I wish to introduce a group of fairly self-explanatory amendments. They are Amendments 2 to 48, Amendments 59 to 179, and Amendments 184 and 185. On Report, the noble Lord, Lord Tope, tabled a number of amendments to change the name of the new Boundary Committee for England to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. As the noble Lord stated when introducing his amendments, the Electoral Commission supported them. The proposed name change appears, indeed, to make good sense—especially as it is in line with the names of the Local Government Boundary Commissions for Wales and for Scotland.

On Report, we undertook to give full consideration to the proposals to change the name. We also needed to ensure that all references to the boundary committee in this Bill and other relevant legislation are amended. Having undertaken that consideration, although my speech is short, I am delighted that the total of 170 amendments that I am laying before the House, which will give effect to the proposed name change, are to be accepted.