Clause 58 - Primary and secondary authorities

Part of Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 3:45 pm on 25 January 2005.

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Photo of Nigel Evans Nigel Evans Conservative, Ribble Valley 3:45, 25 January 2005

This Clause defines primary and secondary authorities. A primary authority is

''(a) a district council in England;

(b) a county council in England for an area for which there is no district council;

(c) a London borough council''

and so on. A secondary authority is 

''(a) a parish council in England;

(b) a community council in Wales.''

The definitions relate to other clauses, which state that one person will be designated to have authority in such matters. I wonder whether the Minister could clarify, before we vote on this, what happens in an area which crosses the borders, particularly between England and Wales. Who has authority over these matters where there are cross-border disputes?

Clause

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Minister

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clause

A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.

Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.

During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.

When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.