David Norris (Independent)

I acknowledge that the Minister of State has made some degree of movement in providing the amendment and that is in response to the amendment that has been put down. However, my problem is that under my amendment local authorities can still do what the Minister of State has just spoken of — they can still evict and charge arrears. I do not see how under my amendments a local authority would be coerced into immediately rehousing a bad tenant who has been consistently, habitually and deliberately acting in bad faith by not paying rent. The Minister of State's concerns are catered for in the amendments.

I do not think I will press the amendment at this point. I will return to the groups which briefed me on these provisions, present the Minister of State's amendment to them and ask them if they are satisfied with it. I will be surprised if they are for the reasons given. Far be it from me to stand in the way of a ministerial amendment in response to an amendment we tabled and may claim. It might be no harm for all sides to take further advice on the issue.