“(1) The Lord Chancellor must prepare an assessment of the operation of the process by which—

(a) on applications made by landlords, the county court is able to make orders for the possession of dwellings in England that are let under assured and regulated tenancies, and

(b) such orders are enforced.

(2) The Lord Chancellor must publish the assessment at such time, and in such manner, as the Lord Chancellor thinks appropriate.

(3) In this section—

‘assured tenancy’ means an assured tenancy within the meaning of the 1988 Act;

‘dwelling’ means a building or part of a building which is occupied or intended to be occupied as a separate dwelling;

‘regulated tenancy’ means a regulated tenancy within the meaning of the Rent Act 1977.”—(Jacob Young.)

This new clause, which is expected to be added to Part 5 of the Bill, requires the Lord Chancellor to assess the operation of the county court possession order process in England, and its enforcement. The extended application date cannot be set for Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Bill until the assessment has been published: see new clause NC28(5).

Brought up, and read the First time.

Question put, That the clause be read a Second time.

The House divided: Ayes 287, Noes 144.

Question accordingly agreed to.

New clause 30 read a Second time, and added to the Bill.