Commons Bill [HL]

Of course, we appreciate the motives behind the tabling of these amendments but we do not think that they are necessary. We cannot see any reason why the commons registration authority would not act with due speed to amend the register as a result of an order from the Secretary of State or National Assembly, but to require them to do so within a specified period, irrespective of the circumstances, would be inappropriate. I am unclear how the amendments would necessarily improve on the position already set out in the Bill. In the case of a straightforward amendment to the register, we would expect the authority to act promptly on receiving an order, and a delay of 40 days may seem excessive. However, if the amendment were not carried out within 40 days, what sanction would arise? By virtue of Clause 16(9), the Bill already provides that the exchange land application is not effective until the registration authority has amended its register, so there would be no obvious penalty if the authority failed to comply. I am happy to tell the noble Baroness that we can also provide strong advice to registration authorities to register an exchange expeditiously by dealing with the matter in a local authority circular. On that basis, I hope that she will withdraw the amendment.