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Proceeding contribution from Earl of Erroll (Crossbench) in the House of Lords on Tuesday, 20 December 2005. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee proceeding on Compensation Bill [HL].


Compensation Bill [HL]

I am not in favour of singling out public authorities for special treatment. This would also apply to private bodies such as schools and to the Historic Houses Association, which represents the owners of historic houses that are open to the public. I do not have one, so it does not concern me. However, the general point is valid. The private purse is no more unlimited than the public purse. If anything, the public purse can often levy higher taxes to make up the shortfall. A private organisation cannot do that, it just goes bankrupt. I do not see why this provision should be limited to public authorities. It should apply to all. Everyone has to make a financial judgment on what is possible in all circumstances, so this is a good general point to make for anyone running something that is open to the public.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
676 c275GC 
Session
2005-06
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords Grand Committee
Subjects
Complaints Compensation Abuse Courts Damages Advertising Evidence Drugs Drunkenness NHS Personal injury Local government finance Public bodies Marketing Negligence Schools Regulation Voluntary work Risk assessment Claims management services
Legislation
Compensation Bill (HL) 2005-06
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk