Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill

moved Amendment No. 209ZA: 209ZA: Clause 106, page 68, line 35, after ““it”” insert ““and in doing so shall have regard to the European Charter of Local Self-Government”” The noble Baroness said: The most entertaining moments of the Bill have been watching a succession of new chairmen attempt to negotiate the new chair. Amendment No. 209ZA relates to the non-ratification of the European Charter of Local Self-Government. The charter provides that the powers of local government should be recognised in legislation and that they should be based on the proposition that all local authorities should manage a substantial proportion of public affairs in the interests of the local population. When in Opposition the Labour Party was always in favour of signing up to the charter, but in the 10 years that have elapsed the Government have failed to do so. Can the Minister tell the Committee what the thinking of the Government on the charter is? Have any discussions taken place with interested parties, such as the LGA? During the debate on the Bill in the Public Bill Committee in another place on 8 March, Mr Woolas said that he strongly supported the principles behind the charter. If that is the case, why have the Government not felt it possible to incorporate it into the Bill? When I was re-reading the charter, I wondered whether I had answered my own question, because Article 9 states: "““Local authorities shall be entitled, within national economic policy, to adequate financial resources of their own, of which they may dispose freely within the framework of their powers””." and, "““Local authorities’ financial resources shall be commensurate with the responsibilities provided for by the constitution and the law””." I wonder whether those two financial clauses caused such reluctance on the part of the Government. I beg to move.