I served only as a member and a vice-chairman of a couple of committees, but I have a view about how wise it is to import into such matters the local authority. I do not regard local authorities as representing necessarily the most reliable way to resolve disputes. I have worries, which will be reflected in later debates on other groups of amendments, about the cost burden that the Bill could place on local authorities, but we can only use our judgment now. My judgment is that the mechanism would represent an incitement and there would be an incentive to people to invoke them. I think that we have to let the matter rest there and let other hon.
Members judge for themselves.
To finish my remarks on clause 2, I suggest that beyond any doubt, the current wording is entirely unsatisfactory and faulty, and it will need to be changed. In fact, I am rather attracted to one or two of the amendments tabled by hon. Friend the Member for Christchurch, but we should not agree to clause 2 without any change and without making it much more explicit. I was happy to attach my name to amendment No. 4 which was tabled by the hon. Member for Hendon.