Housing and Regeneration Bill

I would not contest for a moment that there have been similar powers in many Acts of Parliament. However, there is a creeping process going on; powers of direction are being added in a way that moves them from purely administrative matters on the one hand and moments of crisis on the other to being drafted so as to enable their use for other things. I was concerned when the Minister mentioned tasks, as the minute you get into tasks you are moving from policy into day-to-day management. If one goes right the way back to Herbert Morrison, that was the greatly beneficial distinction that he drew in the difference between the Government’s role in the public sector and the role of non-departmental and other public bodies. I shall read the examples very carefully. It sounded to me as though English Partnerships had asked for directions in these situations. It said, ““The Dome is not really our problem. Perhaps you had better direct us as to what to do about it because we do not know””. On a general point, if an organisation such as the HCA is to make the best of the task assigned to it, then it and all the people who deal with it need as much certainty as possible. They do not need to be faced with the thought that ““If we get a new Secretary of State, we shall get a new set of guidance and directions and our life will become uncertain””. Perhaps I may give a short illustration of a housing circumstance where uncertainty prevails. As it happens, it does not involve directly either the Housing Corporation or English Partnerships, but it might well do. The complexity of getting through the bureaucracy inevitably involved in an application for public money has certainly, to my knowledge, impeded the conversion of quite a number of buildings in the north of England. I re-emphasise that if we are to meet the housing needs that are clearly there—and all the statistics show that they are there—we shall have to be very imaginative and not sit on the heads of those bodies entrusted with Acts of Parliament and with getting on with the job. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendments Nos. 96A and 97 not moved.] Clause 49 agreed to. Clause 50 [Consents of the Secretary of State]: On Question, Whether Clause 50 shall stand part of the Bill?