Clause 3 - Annual plan
Enterprise Bill
12:15 pm
Miss Melanie Johnson (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry; Welwyn Hatfield, Labour)
We deliberately left the matter open to reflect the fact that things enshrined in primary legislation are remarkably difficult to change. As the hon. Gentleman said, it might be a while before there is another Bill that allows the flexibility to change something that is already on the statute book. Were we to specify people whom the OFT should consult, we might rapidly find ourselves with an exhaustive list, which would be dangerous. Such lists are seldom exhaustive, although they are frequently exhausting in Committee. On the grounds of future flexibility and because there may be unforeseeable developments, we would not want any further specification.
I entirely accept the hon. Gentleman's point that there may be an interest in who the OFT plans to consult, but it is part of its accountability that it will have to explain who it is consulting and why. I am sure that representations will be made by bodies or persons who are not involved in the process but think they should be, and by the House and its Committees in deciding whether consultation has been appropriate.
Question accordingly agreed to.
Clause 3 ordered to stand part of the Bill.