Statistics and Registration Service Bill

I thank all noble Lords who took part in this debate for their contributions. I hadhoped that the Minister would set out in some detail how he saw the timing, the relationship with the current code which is being consulted on by the Statistics Commission and that he would flesh things out, but of fleshing out we got nothing. All we got was that the Minister was aware of the issue’s importance. I am coming round to my noble friend Lord Northbrook’s view that my amendment which gave12 months to issue the code, which was merely a sighting shot for the purpose of debate, is clearly inadequate. A much shorter timetable may wellneed to be put into the Bill because there is no sense of urgency or purpose, or clarity about what is going to happen. I indicated that it was a probing amendment therefore I shall withdraw it. I would like the Minister to reflect on whether the answer that he has given is satisfactory; we will possibly come back to this on Report. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.