Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Bill [HL]

My Lords, first, I thank the Minister for his final sentence. At long last we have a positive response from him and I am grateful. When he was appointed Minister, I was told that he would listen to and understand the House and he has shown exactly those qualities in the past couple of minutes. I thank the noble Lords, Lord Best and Lord Dubs, for their support. I also thank the noble Lord, Lord Borrie, whose support is quite a change but a very pleasant change. I hope that he will continue to support me—and I will try to support him in future. The noble Lord, Lord Best, mentioned the increase in the lettings market, which is the great justification for my amendment. We have moved on since 1979 and it is time that we looked at this matter. The noble Lord, Lord Dubs, mentioned the technical problems and that point was taken up by the Minister. All I can say to the Minister is that he has a very good team behind him. I remember using such comments when I was a Minister: that a matter was technical, too difficult and that there were other amendments to be made. As soon as we realised that we were going to be beaten in this House, it was wonderful how those difficulties mysteriously evaporated and the Bill was soon in good shape. As to possible defects in the amendment, I can always remember being told that such problems were not a major issue in this House—it was the principle of the amendment that mattered, and if that was agreed it was up to the Government to ensure that it was technically correct. So I am not worried about that. Given what the Minister said, it is entirely appropriate that I withdraw the amendment at this stage. If he wishes to discuss it with me and the noble Lords, Lord Best, Lord Dubs, Lord Lee and Lord Borrie, between now and the next stage, I am sure that we would all be delighted to try to fix our schedules to see him. I have no doubt that, having given a commitment, he will fulfil it and we will get a nice government amendment. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Schedule 6 [Estate Agents’ Redress Schemes]: