Local Government Bill [Money] (No. 2) — 23 Mar 1999

Queen's recommendation having been signified --

Motion made, and Question proposed,

That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Local Government Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State in making grants to the Audit Commission for Local Authorities and the National Health Service in England and Wales.-- [Jane Kennedy.]

I assume that that means that it is possible that activities of the Audit Commission that go beyond those originally envisaged by the Bill could--and almost certainly will--involve additional expenditure. That may be one of the reasons why the Government have had to table another money resolution. Colleagues more expert than myself may elucidate the possibility that, for the first time, persons who are not members of the Audit Commission would be part of committees or sub-committees to fulfil the responsibilities laid on it by the Bill. That is new territory for the Audit Commission, its structure and activities and I can see why the Government have had to table another money resolution to support the amendments, although--paradoxically--they are not yet part of the Bill.

Question put:--

The House divided: Ayes 345, Noes 39.

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