Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill [HL]

First, I apologise for not speaking at Second Reading, but my diary on that day was such that I could not be present for either the opening or closing speeches. Secondly, I pass on apologies from my noble friend Lord Razzall, who is unable to be here today. The noble Lord, Lord Williams of Elvel, raised some very important points on devolution. As the noble Lord, Lord O’Neill, correctly said, the decision on whether the amendments in this group are necessary depends to some extent on the small words ““may”” and ““shall””, which we will debate later. Without doubt, the principles of devolution are extremely important, as are the practicalities. In the Bill, the Government are considering making changes to the Consumer Council for Water, for example. As my noble friend Lord Livsey of Talgarth has often reminded the House, the situation in Wales with regard to water is very different because the water body is effectively a mutual company and the advocacy required there will be very different from that required in England. Indeed, we have not yet debated the difference between advice and advocacy. As we go through the Bill, it will become apparent exactly where these amendments will need to focus. What representation have the Minister and his department had from the Welsh Assembly and Scottish Parliament about this? Do they feel that this situation is entirely satisfactory? The point will no doubt be brought up again as we debate the rest of the Bill that, with regard to something like energy, Scotland, for instance, may face immensely different pressures from England with regard to consumers. That is in the very nature of the energy market. Some very important points have been raised andit is likely that at the next stage we shall need tosee something from the Government Benches or elsewhere that will take the matter forward.