Legislative and Regulatory Reform Bill

All that I am saying is that, at a time when regulations are being made or removed, the role of the small company needs to be considered. I am going no further than that. As the hon. Gentleman will know, our policy is to accept the minimum wage. [Interruption.] Well, we accept the minimum wage, so he has not made a superb point. New clause 17, tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Stone (Mr. Cash), seeks to ensure that where a fast-track deregulation order is made in connection with a provision concerning our EU obligations, it would be legally binding and effective. It is hard to disagree that that should be the position, and I believe that it probably is the position, but I would be interested to hear the Minister’s views. The manner in which members states make their law is a matter for member states, and if Parliament decides to make law by order, that is for our Parliament rather than the EU. The Government climbdown in new clause 19 is to be welcomed. There is a case for some amendment of it, about which we will hear in a moment, and we are open to considering that. I would like to hear the Minister’s response to new clause 9, which is designed to help small business. At this stage, we are minded to support my hon. Friend the Member for Stone on new clause 17, which clarifies the law as regards the EU.