Legislative and Regulatory Reform Bill

I am grateful to the Minister for giving way. He has been incredibly generous and solicitous towards the House. I am still concerned about the potential application of the new clause to the proper responsibilities of public services. Let me offer the Minister a scenario. The hon. Gentleman will be aware that there are responsibilities on, for example, national health service trusts under the terms of the Health and Social Care Act 2001, where they are considering changes in the provision of services to involve local people in and consult them on the proposed changes. Can the Minister assure me that nothing in the clause would ever allow such public agencies to argue for a removal or reduction of their public consultation responsibilities? On the face of it, the danger exists, at least under a less benign and progressive Minister than the hon. Gentleman, for precisely such an eventuality to occur.