Crossrail Bill

moved Amendment No. 23: 23: Schedule 12, page 197, line 34, at end insert— ““Scheme for grant of lease 3A Any power under paragraph 1, 2 or 3 to make a scheme for the transfer of any property from one person (A) to another person (B) may be exercised instead so as to make a scheme under that paragraph for the creation by A in favour of B of an interest in, or right in relation to, the property.”” The noble Lord said: These amendments will not detain us too long. They are technical and they relate to the granting of new land interests. Schedule 12 already provides for the granting of new land interests as part of a transfer of assets between or from public bodies, which are known as ““transfer schemes””. The amendments to Schedule 12 would enable the simple grant of new land interests, such as a lease, to happen by way of a transfer scheme, even where this is separate from the transfer of other assets. The amendment will enable the Secretary of State to retain flexibility over how she puts the land ownership arrangements required for Crossrail in place. Given the long duration of the project, it is sensible for her to retain that flexibility. The amendments proposed to Schedule 13 are consequential and avoid a tax distinction arising based on the type of transfer scheme under which a lease is created. I beg to move. On Question, amendment agreed to.