Manchester City Council Bill [Lords](By Order)

Both parts of the hon. Gentleman's question are legitimate. That would be desirable, and I hope that my hon. Friend the Minister is listening to that plea, which he will hear from all sides of the debate. The most sensible way forward is to have a national framework. It is better in any case, because—let me be honest—I would not recommend the private Bill process to anybody. It is arcane and difficult and it gives disproportionate influence to those who oppose the Bill. They are right to exercise that opposition—I am not complaining—but it would be better to have the debate in the context of a national framework, which could allow local variation. Not all local authorities would need to buy into it if they did not want to—it would not be mandatory. A national framework would be better.