Clause 35
2:30 pm
Mark Harper (Shadow Minister, Work & Pensions; Forest of Dean, Conservative)
I am very pleased to be able to reassure the Minister. I had not realised that I had deviated from my polite and courteous ways. The purpose behind tabling the amendment was to get that reassurance. I am pleased that the Minister has been able to make it clear to us that the budget for the pilots is in the bank and sorted so that the Department will be able to move ahead swiftly. As I said, I recognise that for the national implementation of these proposals, it is essential that the Treasury is on board because there might be significant implications. I was just concerned that there should be no stumbling block because the pilot scheme regulations are going to be made under clause 31. The Minister has adequately reassured me about that. Certainly, if he is satisfied with the Treasury and he is perfectly able to deal with it, I am sure that we can be satisfied. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.