Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]

My Lords, I think that that is a two and a half cheers answer. I am not suggesting in any way that our wording is ideal, so I thank the Minister very much for that answer. His answers are improving as the night goes on. I am not familiar with the overview and scrutiny order to which he referred me but I shall no doubt become familiar with it in the coming days and have a good look at it. I thank him for that. I particularly thank him for the very clear commitment he has given on licensing and planning—that the Government’s intentions are exactly as we have put forward. I think that that was the first time the Government have stated that quite so clearly. That provides at least some justification for our having this discussion. On the other issue—general formal consultations—I accept and understand that getting a precise formulation for this is more difficult because it is not referring to existing statutes. It may well be that the scheme will be drawn up so that rather than being excluded, such petitions will be included in the consultations already taking place. "Redirecting" is a more positive word than "exclusion". However, that is just some thinking off the top of my head which occurred to me while I was listening to the Minister’s very welcome comments. On that basis, I have some pleasure in begging leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment 47 withdrawn. Amendment 48 not moved.