My Lords, as I think I was the first to complain about the original provisions of the Bill when we considered it in Committee, it is only right that I should now be the first to rise to congratulate the Minister on what he has achieved since we were in...

My Lords, as I think I was the first to complain about the original provisions of the Bill when we considered it in Committee, it is only right that I should now be the first to rise to congratulate the Minister on what he has achieved since we were in...

My Lords, I support my noble friend Lord Greaves in all that he has said. He has made a very persuasive case, and I would summarise it in words that we hear so often from the Dispatch Box: ““My Lords, these provisions are not necessary””. As my noble friend has...

My Lords, I support my noble friend Lord Greaves in all that he has said. He has made a very persuasive case, and I would summarise it in words that we hear so often from the Dispatch Box: ““My Lords, these provisions are not necessary””. As my noble friend has...

My Lords, if the purpose of this amendment was to enable a short debate on the political engagement of young people, I have no hesitation whatever in supporting that intention. If it is the intention to prescribe how local authorities should do it—and I do not think that it is—it...

My Lords, if the purpose of this amendment was to enable a short debate on the political engagement of young people, I have no hesitation whatever in supporting that intention. If it is the intention to prescribe how local authorities should do it—and I do not think that it is—it...

I shall speak to Amendments 86 and 87 in this grouping. My noble friend Lord Shipley has unfortunately had to leave for an hour for another very important engagement, as things would have it at exactly the moment when his amendments come up, so I find myself once again in...

I shall speak to Amendments 86 and 87 in this grouping. My noble friend Lord Shipley has unfortunately had to leave for an hour for another very important engagement, as things would have it at exactly the moment when his amendments come up, so I find myself once again in...

My Lords, I move the amendment in my name and that of my noble friend Lord Palmer of Childs Hill, and speak to Amendments 71 and 72. The Bill will enable local authorities to return to a committee structure and, indeed, to be more free than they have been for...

My Lords, I move the amendment in my name and that of my noble friend Lord Palmer of Childs Hill, and speak to Amendments 71 and 72. The Bill will enable local authorities to return to a committee structure and, indeed, to be more free than they have been for...

My Lords, I associate myself strongly with the comments of the noble Lord, Lord Jenkin. I know from conversations that Ministers are gaining some private amusement from the number of times that local authorities are asking them when guidance will be issued. They are saying that local authorities cannot get...

My Lords, I associate myself strongly with the comments of the noble Lord, Lord Jenkin. I know from conversations that Ministers are gaining some private amusement from the number of times that local authorities are asking them when guidance will be issued. They are saying that local authorities cannot get...

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister, not least for knowing where I am better than I do. I am grateful for his response and some of his encouraging remarks, and I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment 98J withdrawn Clause 18 agreed. Amendment 98K not moved. Clause...

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister, not least for knowing where I am better than I do. I am grateful for his response and some of his encouraging remarks, and I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment 98J withdrawn Clause 18 agreed. Amendment 98K not moved. Clause...

My Lords, I will certainly pay attention, as I always do. For the past 40 years, I have paid attention, in every sense, to my noble friend Lord Greaves, who was required to throw me out of the Liberal party 40 years ago, if I remember rightly.

My Lords, I will certainly pay attention, as I always do. For the past 40 years, I have paid attention, in every sense, to my noble friend Lord Greaves, who was required to throw me out of the Liberal party 40 years ago, if I remember rightly.

He refused and it was one of his wisest decisions, because the person who requested him to do so did not distinguish himself in the interests of the Liberal party within a few years of that. I refer to our then party leader. The noble Lord, Lord Beecham, is probably...

He refused and it was one of his wisest decisions, because the person who requested him to do so did not distinguish himself in the interests of the Liberal party within a few years of that. I refer to our then party leader. The noble Lord, Lord Beecham, is probably...

My Lords, I hesitate to intervene at this stage. This is almost the first time in a very long local government career that I actually think that central government should be imposing something. I share the views that have been expressed that it must be a statutory requirement that each...

My Lords, I hesitate to intervene at this stage. This is almost the first time in a very long local government career that I actually think that central government should be imposing something. I share the views that have been expressed that it must be a statutory requirement that each...

96B: Clause 16, page 22, line 44, leave out ““London Assembly acting on behalf of the Authority”” and insert ““Mayor of London and London Assembly acting jointly and (subject to section 17(7)(b)— (a) the Mayor’s joint exercise of those functions may be delegated under section 38 of the Greater London...

96B: Clause 16, page 22, line 44, leave out ““London Assembly acting on behalf of the Authority”” and insert ““Mayor of London and London Assembly acting jointly and (subject to section 17(7)(b)— (a) the Mayor’s joint exercise of those functions may be delegated under section 38 of the Greater London...

My Lords, I shall speak also to Amendments 98A, 98B, 98C, 98D and 98G. All these amendments refer to the Greater London Authority and they have been proposed by the GLA, of which I was a member for the first eight years of its life, although I no longer am....

My Lords, I shall speak also to Amendments 98A, 98B, 98C, 98D and 98G. All these amendments refer to the Greater London Authority and they have been proposed by the GLA, of which I was a member for the first eight years of its life, although I no longer am....

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for what I hope was a favourable reply. I am certain that the GLA and my noble friend Lady Doocey, who is still a member of the London Assembly, will wish to join me in saying that we seek a common-sense and...

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for what I hope was a favourable reply. I am certain that the GLA and my noble friend Lady Doocey, who is still a member of the London Assembly, will wish to join me in saying that we seek a common-sense and...

I am more than happy to speak to Amendment 97 at some length, but I will allow my noble friend Lord Greaves to speak now on the other amendments in this group and will contribute later, should that be appropriate. I beg to move.

I am more than happy to speak to Amendment 97 at some length, but I will allow my noble friend Lord Greaves to speak now on the other amendments in this group and will contribute later, should that be appropriate. I beg to move.

97: Clause 17, page 23, line 2, leave out ““may”” and insert ““must””

97: Clause 17, page 23, line 2, leave out ““may”” and insert ““must””

My Lords, I have to say that I am profoundly disappointed with the position we find ourselves in. I was warned earlier on, before I had said anything, to stay on message, but I am bound to say that I cannot understand how a Localism Bill can impose referendums on...

My Lords, I have to say that I am profoundly disappointed with the position we find ourselves in. I was warned earlier on, before I had said anything, to stay on message, but I am bound to say that I cannot understand how a Localism Bill can impose referendums on...

Amendment 98HA is on the Supplementary Marshalled List, and therefore probably in a later grouping than my noble friend has to hand.

Amendment 98HA is on the Supplementary Marshalled List, and therefore probably in a later grouping than my noble friend has to hand.

I am sorry to have to say that as a loyal member of the coalition, but it is my view. Amendment 98J would simply leave out ““and other””. The other amendment in my name in this grouping is identical. My purpose is not so much to press the amendment as...

I am sorry to have to say that as a loyal member of the coalition, but it is my view. Amendment 98J would simply leave out ““and other””. The other amendment in my name in this grouping is identical. My purpose is not so much to press the amendment as...

We are discussing issues that are extremely important for local government after the normal rising time of the House and in our eighth hour in Committee. We are not doing justice to an important issue and, frankly, we are in danger of bringing the House into ridicule.

We are discussing issues that are extremely important for local government after the normal rising time of the House and in our eighth hour in Committee. We are not doing justice to an important issue and, frankly, we are in danger of bringing the House into ridicule.

98J: Clause 18, page 23, line 42, leave out ““and other””

98J: Clause 18, page 23, line 42, leave out ““and other””