Clause 43
Housing and Regeneration Bill
1:00 pm
Iain Wright (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Communities and Local Government; Hartlepool, Labour)
As I think I mentioned this morning, my understanding is that guidance is guidance, and that it is not binding. However, if I have inadvertently misled the Committee, I shall make Members aware of it.
My right hon. Friend the Member for Greenwich and Woolwich made a point about guidance to the regulator. Clause 40, which we agreed this morning, places a duty on the agency to co-operate with the regulator. We expect that to ensure that the two bodies can work together and exchange information where appropriate. A reciprocal arrangement is provided for in clause 102, which places a similar duty on the regulator to co-operate with the agency. I hope that that reassures hon. Members.