Commons Bill [HL]

My Lords, I have sympathy with the amendment because whether—following on from the comments of the noble Lord, Lord Williams of Elvel—it is the taxpayer in paying central taxes or us paying taxes at a local level, the cost must be met by someone. The matter was raised at earlier stages of consideration, and it was suggested to the noble Lord that he put it to a vote at that time, so I understand why he has come back with it. This is an important point; the process will cost money and the Government know that it will cost money. In the response that I had on Report the noble Baroness, Lady Farrington, said that the funding,"““will . . . be provided, at least initially, on a targeted basis””.—[Official Report, 28/11/05; col. 58.]" Have the Government given any more thought to that? Have they decided how it will be targeted, or will that be left to each and every individual authority to decide when they bring it forward? No real assurance was given—and I do not believe that we have received a follow-up letter—on what the Government have in mind about how it would be organised. The figure of £100,000 is fairly near what was quoted; if you divide that among the various local authorities, it is peanuts in certain areas—and obviously not applicable in others. Although the noble Lord had a slightly rough ride on Report, this question should be answered, and at this stage we have not had it answered. I hope that the Minister will be able to do that.