Welfare Reform Bill

My Lords, I am sure that there are some people who would take a different view. I am expressing the view I believe to be correct. This was entered into by agreement between the two parties. Treasury Ministers are able to obtain the freely and frankly expressed views and the expertise of SSAC. Treasury Ministers take the view that the disclosure of SSAC’s advice would be likely toinhibit the free and frank provision of advice orcould prejudice the effective development of policy. The confidentiality of that advice recognises thatthe Chancellor has responsibility to deliver the Government’s aims of delivering a single system of support designed to make work pay and of reducing child poverty. He also has to make those decisions in the context of his overall economic responsibility as part of the Budget process. The proposed amendment would be made to a DWP Bill and ignores the opportunity for HMRC and the SSAC to determine, by mutual agreement, the content of the MoU and the way in which arrangements covered by it will operate. The memorandum is about to be reviewed, with both sides agreeing the terms of that review. It would be pre-emptive to press this amendment in light of that situation. I hope that these explanations have totally convinced noble Lords and I urge the noble Baroness to withdraw the amendment.