State Pension Credit Bill [Lords]

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Maria Eagle: I will do what I can to reassure the hon. Gentleman in that respect.

Clause 17 is largely the interpretation provision. I shall not go through all the definitions, because we would be here all night if I did. In any case, I gather that there is not huge disquiet about them, or amendments galore would have been tabled. Subsection (1) defines the terms used in the Bill in a way that fits in with other legislation. Subsection (2) confers the power to prescribe in regulations the circumstances in which people are to be treated as members of the same household, or as severely disabled.

The hon. Gentleman asked about consultation and our intentions. We intend any regulations made under the powers to mirror those that currently apply to income support. Of course, there are the usual consultation procedures in respect of both matters; we always want to hear what people have to say.

Again, subsection (3) is technical. It ensures that this legislation ties in with the main body of social security legislation and does not float around on its

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own. The clause is technical, but without it we would not be able to deal with the Bill. I hope that, on the basis of my remarks, hon. Members will agree that clause 17 should stand part of the Bill.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause 17 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 18 to 21 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 22

Short title, commencement and extent

Mr. McCartney: I beg to move amendment No. 8, in page 14, line 23, leave out subsection (7).

This amendment removes the privilege amendment that was made in another place. As hon. Members will be aware, the financial powers in the other place are restricted by the rights and privileges of the House of Commons and by the terms of the Parliament Acts. As the Bill originated in another place and contains financial provisions, a privilege amendment was added to it before its introduction in this House to ensure that the financial privilege of this House was not infringed,

The privilege amendment provided that nothing in the Bill should impose or vary any charge on the people or public funds. This amendment is technical; it is necessary to remove the privilege amendment. The financial provisions are thereby reinstated.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause 22, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Further consideration adjourned.—[Angela Smith.]

Adjourned accordingly at eight minutes past Seven o'clock till Thursday 25 April at half-past Nine o'clock.

The following Members attended the Committee:
Griffiths, Mr. Win (Chairman)
Boswell, Mr.
Brazier, Mr.
Brennan, Kevin
Cairns, David
Clappison, Mr.
Cruddas, Jon
Eagle, Maria
Ewing, Annabelle
McCartney, Mr. Ian
Mann, John
Mercer, Patrick
Osborne, Sandra
Purnell, James
Selous, Andrew
Smith, Angela
Turner, Mr. Neil
Tynan, Mr.
Webb, Mr.

 

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Prepared 23 April 2002