Commons Bill [HL]

I hear what the Minister says is the reason for Amendment No. 183 but I am slightly concerned about it because it could militate against the making of rules locally and the process might be quite lengthy. It is not clear from the amendment which will be the appropriate national authority—I presume it will not change from time to time—but I believe the Minister said it will be the Secretary of State. Might it not be simpler if the appropriate national authority were to draw up a large number of rules, from which menu commons associations could pick the ones they require and not have to apply every time they wish to make a rule? If, under an exceptional circumstance, there was a requirement for a rule that the appropriate national authority had not entered on its menu list, it might be reasonable that the commons associations should have to apply. But for them to have to apply every time they wish to make a rule is contrary to the spirit of the better regulation streamlining effort.