Peter Bottomley (Worthing West, Conservative)

I think that the clause is drafted to provide a sensible and limited power. The guts of it are subsections (4) and (5). Subsection (4) states:

“The Secretary of State may by order make—

(a) such supplementary, incidental or consequential provision, or

(b) such transitory, transitional or saving provision

as he considers appropriate for the general purposes, or any particular purpose of this Act or in consequence of, or for giving full effect to, any provision made by this Act.”

Subsection (5) states:

“An order made under subsection (4) may amend, repeal, revoke or otherwise modify any enactment.”

The first three subsections of the clause are relevant to schedules 8, 9 and 10, but subsections (4) and (5) are not tied to them. I am not suggesting that the Minister has created the opportunity to drove a coach and horses through any part of charity law provision, but I would like the Committee to have his reassurance on what the limitations are.

Edward Miliband (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Cabinet Office; Doncaster North, Labour)

My understanding is that there are constraints in the legislation, but to be fair to the hon. Gentleman, I should write to him and set them out on paper.