Greater London Authority Bill

My Lords, this has been a very interesting short debate. I almost wish we had time for more. Those four examples fit very well within the definition of the housing strategy. I applaud the noble Baroness’s ingenuity, but those kind of functions fall within new Section 333D(3)(b), which refers to, "““any other statement of the local housing authority’s policies or proposals relating to housing””." Although they are the key tasks of the borough, they fit very much within the range of tasks that any housing strategy has to address: preventing homelessness, allocation policies, empowering residents, improving management and so on—matters that are absolutely fundamental to delivering good housing. More than that, we are not just talking about the London Plan or the housing strategy; the London boroughs have to work within a national framework as well. Those are some of the key elements of our national framework policies. I am not moved in my opposition to the amendment of the noble Baroness because what is sought is contained within the definition to which I referred. In response to the noble Baroness, Lady Hamwee, the London Plan is the equivalent of the regional plan. The regional plan, in the hierarchy of plan-making, takes precedence over the housing strategy. I hope that that clarifies the position. After that very nice, short debate, I hope that I can persuade the noble Baroness to withdraw her amendment. On Question, amendment agreed to. [Amendment No. 51 not moved.]