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Part of Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 9:15 am on 24 October 2012.

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Photo of Brandon Lewis Brandon Lewis The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Communities and Local Government 9:15, 24 October 2012

I am very aware of that, Mr Amess. I share what I suspect you imply, which is a slight frustration that on a cross-party Bill—it has been very cross-party all the way through—we have suddenly moved into a political debate. I will not get involved in that. It is for another time and place to respond to the comments made about housing supply, otherwise I might be tempted to point out that we have unblocked some of the blockages left by the previous Administration and got rid of the top-down targets that stopped houses being built, and that we are moving forward in that way. That debate is for another time and place—this is not about the politics of it—but I take on board the point made by the hon. Member for Derby North about the need for a proportionate response.

I want briefly to congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Watford on introducing the Bill.