'(1) Section 345 of the Housing Act 1985 (meaning of ''multiple occupation'') is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (2)(b), for ''by a single household'' there is substituted ''as a separate dwelling.

(3) After subsection (2) there is inserted—

''(3) The Secretary of State may make regulations prescribing—

(a) circumstances in which a person is, or is not, to be regarded as occupying a house, or

(b) circumstances in which persons occupying a house are, or are not, to be regarded as forming a single household.

(4) Regulations under paragraph (b) of subsection (3) may (without prejudice to the generality of that paragraph) secure that persons occupying a house are regarded as forming a single household only where there is a prescribed relationship between each member of the group and any one or more of the others (as the regulations may require).

(5) In subsection (4) ''prescribed relationship'' means any family or other relationship of a description specified in the regulations.

''(6) The Secretary of State may also make regulations prescribing descriptions of houses which (whether or not otherwise falling within the definition in subsection (1)) are not to be regarded as houses in multiple occupation within the meaning of this Part.

(7) Regulations under subsection (6) may frame a description of house by reference to any features of the house (including the nature of its use or occupation).

(8) Regulations under this section—

(a) may make different provision for different circumstances;

(b) may make incidental, supplementary and transitional provision; and

(c) shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.''.'—[Mr. Meacher.]

Brought up, and read the First time.

Motion made, and Question put, That the clause be read a Second time.

The Committee divided: Ayes 4, Noes 2.

Question accordingly agreed to.

Amendments made: (a) after proposed new subsection (3)(b) of section 345 of the Housing Act 1985 insert:

'(3A) Regulations made under subsection (2) shall include in any definition of ''house in multiple occupation'' a house occupancy of which is or would be subject to more than one tenancy agreement whether written or verbal.'.

(b) in proposed new subsection (6) of section 345 of the Housing Act 1985, leave out from second 'of' to end and insert:

'buildings which are, or are not, to be regarded as houses'.—[Mr. Meacher.]

Motion made, and Question put, That the clause, as amended, be added to the Bill.

The Committee divided: Ayes 4, Noes 2.

Question accordingly agreed to.

Clause, as amended, added to the Bill.