I have only one point to make. It has relevance to new schedule 1, which has just been agreed to, to clause 5 and new clause 4. I have had a letter from my constituent, Mr. Martin Beaumont, who is the chief executive of the Co-operative Group. Until recently he was the chief executive of United Co-op in the north-west. Like the Minister, I am proud to represent a north-west seat. As I said on Second

Reading, I shop every week at my local Co-op in the village of Bunbury in the heart of my constituency.

I note that the hon. Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Thomas) is also in his place. On Second Reading he was rightly congratulated on his work on a previous Bill. I also recognise that my fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, the hon. Member for Edmonton will have scrutinised the Bill in great detail. Having discussed the matter with Mr. Peter Hunt of the Co-operative party, who may well be known to Labour Members, Mr. Beaumont made a suggestion, which I hope the Minister will consider. The matter could have been proposed as an amendment. It is probably best to discuss it and leave the promoter of the Bill and the Minister to decide whether they want to adopt it.

Clause 5 says that the legislation may be cited as the Co-operatives and Community Benefit Societies Act 2003 and relates back to the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts. The Industrial and Provident Societies Act 2002 was promoted by the hon. Member for Harrow, West with Government support. Mr. Beaumont suggests replacing the phrase in clause 5

''the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965 to 2003''

with

''the Co-operatives and Community Benefit Societies Acts 1965 to 2003''.

While that may seem a purely cosmetic improvement, it has some resonance given the helpful rationale that he sets out. With your indulgence, Mr. Stevenson, I should like to read it out.