Clause 26 - Turnover test

Enterprise Bill – in a Public Bill Committee am 4:45 pm ar 30 Ebrill 2002.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.

Photo of Nigel Waterson Nigel Waterson Ceidwadwyr, Eastbourne

I rise briefly to make a point about clauses 26 and clause 30 and I may make the same point later on clause 50 in the context of draft regulations. In some of the Under-Secretary's more helpful correspondence, she explained where we are in terms of the regulations, guidance and so on. On clauses 26 and 30, will she be a little more specific about the position with draft regulations? The Bill is hefty in anyone's money and many clauses will require further regulation or guidance in due course. It would be helpful to have that information because issues may arise from those regulations in due course, especially under clause 26.

Photo of Miss Melanie Johnson Miss Melanie Johnson Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry

I am not sure that I can help the hon. Gentleman further. I set out in my letter on necessary consultation as regards several aspects of the Bill the exact position that we expect to arise—that is, where guidance or consultation will take place and what we envisage will happen next within the time frame. I am not sure that I can be more helpful to the hon. Gentleman. Can he explain what further information he is interested in?

Photo of Nigel Waterson Nigel Waterson Ceidwadwyr, Eastbourne

It is difficult to know how to answer that question without knowing what is in the draft regulations. When we have seen them, we shall know what important matters are included and, perhaps more importantly, what important matters have been left out. I appreciate that this is a moving target and I do not want to put the Under-Secretary on the spot. However, I am trying to be helpful, even if it does not sound like it, and my argument is relevant to a number of the provisions that we are cantering through. It would be sad if draft regulations that were almost available, albeit it in early draft, and could be made available for our debates did not become available until the Committee had moved on. However, I appreciate that the Under-Secretary cannot produce great rafts of regulations if they are not ready.

Photo of Miss Melanie Johnson Miss Melanie Johnson Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry

Things are being done in stages, as the hon. Gentleman appreciates, and some are more advanced than others. I have suggested the information that we hope to share with the Committee in more detail before Report. It will be possible to produce the information for some aspects of the Bill, but not all. We intend to produce draft regulations in good time before commencement and, obviously, all the regulations will go through the normal consultation period and time frames that the hon. Gentleman expects and which are the normal practice for the Government today.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause 26 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 27 ordered to stand part of the Bill.