I thank the Minister for that response, because he knows that this is an important point for the Committee and supporters of the Bill. As I tried to explain in speaking to our new clause, I feel that the Bill’s supporters have moved a long way from our original position, in terms of what we expect to be required of the Secretary of State, to one that shows greater understanding of the need for some flexibility for him or her. If the Minister is saying that he is not prepared to move beyond a duty to consult, that would cause problems for the Committee. However, if he is going to return to the Committee with an amendment that uses the words “duty to co-operate”, that will be acceptable. It would not be good enough to stick with

“a duty to consult”,

but I am sure that Committee members will correct me if that view is misguided.