Contributions
2,441 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Tenth sitting)That was a slightly frustrating response from the Minister. I had hoped for a little more. I am glad that he thinks the new clause is well intentioned and sympathises with some of…30 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Tenth sitting)I am disappointed by that response from the Minister, as he would expect. We very much agree that the Bill is moving in the right direction, but we do not think it goes far enough…30 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Tenth sitting)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. I will be relatively brief in speaking to the new clause, because I trust that it is self-explanatory, and we believe that…30 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Ninth sitting)I rise to support the amendment. We discussed litigation costs in relation to clause 34; we strongly argued for a general prohibition with very limited exceptions. The hon.…30 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Ninth sitting)We are all driving at the same point. I was very much taken by the CMA’s conclusion that reducing the prevalence of these arrangements requires a combination of the mandatory…30 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Tenth sitting)I expected a little more from the Minister, because the Government have accepted in principle that property agents need to be regulated. We think it important that this matter be…30 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Ninth sitting)Under my reading of the hon. Gentleman’s amendment, if it is ensured that services or works that would ordinarily be provided by local authorities are not relevant costs for the…30 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Tenth sitting)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. I do not intend to press new clause 26 to a vote, because it is very much a probing amendment. My remarks on it will be brief…30 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Tenth sitting)I thank the Minister for his response. I will pass over his criticisms of the technical flaws of the new clauses. Their intent is very clear; we can debate whether primary or…30 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Tenth sitting)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.30 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Tenth sitting)I commend the Minister for continuing to deny himself additional powers to do very sensible things. Notwithstanding that self-denying ordinance, I hope that he will at least take…30 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Tenth sitting)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. I hope that on this occasion the Minister will give me enough reason to withdraw the new clause. I always prefer to withdraw…30 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Tenth sitting)I think I quote the Minister accurately when I say that he said, “Let me see how to get out of this one.” He is developing a reputation not just for reasonableness but for undue…30 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Tenth sitting)I thank the hon. Gentleman. If he allows me to develop my case, I will address that very point, which was well made. Not only is the potential penalty for a breach incredibly…30 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Tenth sitting)I thank the hon. Gentleman for that helpful intervention. I hope that I do have that effect, and that he can use his good offices to persuade the Minister of the merits of…30 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Tenth sitting)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. It is a pleasure to continue our line-by-line proceedings with you in the Chair, Sir Edward. For the sake of probity, simply…30 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Ninth sitting)I have two brief points. On the general commencement provisions, the Minister just made it perfectly clear that there are no firm dates for commencement on all the issues that…30 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Ninth sitting)I rise briefly to support the argument made by the hon. Member for North East Bedfordshire. There is a specific problem on privately managed estates, which I referred to when…30 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Tenth sitting)On a point of order, Sir Edward, may I take the opportunity to put on record our sincere thanks to you and your colleagues in the Chair for overseeing our proceedings over recent…30 Jan 2024HANSARDLeasehold and Freehold Reform Bill (Ninth sitting)Briefly, when we discussed the regulation of service charges in clauses 26 to 30, we made a number of specific arguments about how those clauses might be tightened and…30 Jan 2024