Housing and Regeneration Bill

Amendment No. 108ZBEA is tabled in my name and is in this group. I am concerned with the part of the Bill that deals with the restructuring and dissolution of housing providers in the event that things go seriously astray. This is a probing amendment because after we have fairly thoroughly dealt with the winding up on page 70, we come in Clause 166 on page 71 to the transfer of property. Clause 166(2) states: "““Any surplus property that is available after satisfying the registered provider’s liabilities shall be transferred (a) to the regulator, or (b) if the regulator directs, to a specified registered provider.””" I found myself wondering whether it would involve a conflict of interest if the regulator were suddenly to become the owner of some of these properties. It seems to me that it does, even if it is only a temporary solution. I think that the words, "““to the regulator, or … if the regulator directs””," ought to come out so that the regulator is obliged to transfer the property to someone else. He would be in a difficult position if anything else were to happen. I tabled this amendment to explore that potential conflict. I hope the Minister will not mind answering it.