The Minister will know that we had a good debate in Committee on all 242 clauses but, to our amazement, another 137 clauses have been tabled for today's debate, which will last about four hours. How he can define that as forensic scrutiny of the Bill, I have no idea....

The Minister will know that we had a good debate in Committee on all 242 clauses but, to our amazement, another 137 clauses have been tabled for today's debate, which will last about four hours. How he can define that as forensic scrutiny of the Bill, I have no idea....

Does the Minister share my dismay that the Government have built less council housing every year in their 11 years than we did in any year under Margaret Thatcher or John Major?

Does the Minister share my dismay that the Government have built less council housing every year in their 11 years than we did in any year under Margaret Thatcher or John Major?

There would be no direct impact one way or the other, but I pay tribute to the work of co-operatives in creating affordable housing. There are one or two in my patch and I see many others around the country. I believe they contribute greatly to a form of housing...

There would be no direct impact one way or the other, but I pay tribute to the work of co-operatives in creating affordable housing. There are one or two in my patch and I see many others around the country. I believe they contribute greatly to a form of housing...

I do not want to take up other Members' time. I will simply say that it is difficult to understand why Oftenant should apply to some houses and not others. The Minister was unable to explain that in Committee, and he has been unable to explain it today. The Bill...

I do not want to take up other Members' time. I will simply say that it is difficult to understand why Oftenant should apply to some houses and not others. The Minister was unable to explain that in Committee, and he has been unable to explain it today. The Bill...

The Bill initially contained more than 300 clauses, and on Second Reading I mentioned its size; little did I know that down the line in Committee there would be another 242-odd Government new clauses, and that today a further 137 amendments would be tabled at the last minute, with no...

The Bill initially contained more than 300 clauses, and on Second Reading I mentioned its size; little did I know that down the line in Committee there would be another 242-odd Government new clauses, and that today a further 137 amendments would be tabled at the last minute, with no...

I appreciate the Minister's consensual approach to the Bill—we had the same approach in Committee—but I am not convinced by his argument. He is arguing that there is a great deal of uncertainty in the market, but he is failing to do the one thing in the Bill that would...

I appreciate the Minister's consensual approach to the Bill—we had the same approach in Committee—but I am not convinced by his argument. He is arguing that there is a great deal of uncertainty in the market, but he is failing to do the one thing in the Bill that would...

The hon. Gentleman has made an excellent point. It should be possible for community land trusts to cover both low-cost renting and home ownership. I am very willing to work on the wording of the definition, and if the Minister will join me in doing so I shall be very...

The hon. Gentleman has made an excellent point. It should be possible for community land trusts to cover both low-cost renting and home ownership. I am very willing to work on the wording of the definition, and if the Minister will join me in doing so I shall be very...

I accept that entirely. They also enable people to shape their communities as they wish. The CLT that I mentioned wanted to ensure that local people could be housed locally. It was able to define tenants or buyers on the basis of their local roots, which I think makes a...

I accept that entirely. They also enable people to shape their communities as they wish. The CLT that I mentioned wanted to ensure that local people could be housed locally. It was able to define tenants or buyers on the basis of their local roots, which I think makes a...

I am interested to hear the hon. Gentleman's comments. I have to let the Minister know that I am keen to strip this out and divide on new clause 32, although I will listen with great interest to find out whether he believes that, in the interest of trying to...

I am interested to hear the hon. Gentleman's comments. I have to let the Minister know that I am keen to strip this out and divide on new clause 32, although I will listen with great interest to find out whether he believes that, in the interest of trying to...

I should like to sing the praises of new clause 32, which I think will have some backing in all parts of the House. It is all about community land trusts. The Minister will remember that in Committee we had a bit of discussion about CLTs and whether they could...

I should like to sing the praises of new clause 32, which I think will have some backing in all parts of the House. It is all about community land trusts. The Minister will remember that in Committee we had a bit of discussion about CLTs and whether they could...

Housing and Regeneration Bill. Ways and means resolution agreed to on question. Report stage. New Clauses 11 and 14 debated and added to the Bill. New Clauses 12, 13 and 15-28 added to the Bill. New Clause 1 negatived on division (263 votes to 210). New Clause 8 negatived on division (259 votes to 74). New Clause 32 negatived on division (278 votes to 186). New Schedules 1-3 added to the Bill. Queen's consent signified. Prince of Wales's consent signified. Third reading debate agreed to on question. Bill passed.

Housing and Regeneration Bill. Ways and means resolution agreed to on question. Report stage. New Clauses 11 and 14 debated and added to the Bill. New Clauses 12, 13 and 15-28 added to the Bill. New Clause 1 negatived on division (263 votes to 210). New Clause 8 negatived on...