Amendments Nos. 14 and 15 may be discussed together by agreement.
SECTION 13.
I move amendment No. 14:
In page 8, subsection (1), between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following:
(c) the person has refused to participate at pre-tenancy training courses.".
I support section 13 which allows a local authority to refuse the letting of accommodation in certain circumstances. The purpose of this amendment is to insert extra provisos. The Minister has often spoken about estate management. Some local authorities are trying to get perspective tenants to engage in pre-tenancy training courses. Some tenants are willing to participate in such courses while others are not. Perhaps training should be a condition of tenancy agreements, but it would be good if it had legislative support allowing a local authority to insist upon tenants undertaking a pre-tenancy course. Refusal to do so should be grounds for refusing an application. The local authority may feel that some people would not need to undertake such a course but it should be able to turn down people who refuse to undertake a course when requested. Refusal could be a signal that prospective tenants were potential troublemakers. All potential tenants should have to do a pre-tenancy course.
Amendment No. 15 requires that each tenant serve a probationary period.
The Select Committee adjourned at 6.45 p.m.