On the issue of consistency, which is what this part of the Bill is all about, LBRO acts as an arbiter. For example, the enforcing authority might feel that the arrangements between the primary authority and the regulator—the hon. Gentleman quotes from Government guidance—are actually a bit of a sweetheart deal, as I think I mentioned this morning: that they have entered into a cosy arrangement with each other, with the effect that the enforcing authority does not believe that the regulations are being properly enforced.

Apart from the advice and guidance function of LBRO, it also has an arbiter function, and that takes us back to some of this morning’s debates about advice and direction. In those circumstances, the enforcing authority can appeal to LBRO to look at the situation and see whether the regulations are being properly enforced, or whether the primary authority relationship is not conducive to better regulation with regard to the public interest in the area that the enforcing authority  represents. That arbitration role of LBRO is important. It is something that is not enforced as it might be under the current regime, which is another reason for establishing the body.