Housing and Regeneration Bill

The noble Lord, Lord Greaves, has picked up a point that I made at Second Reading about the powers of the Homes and Communities Agency. I argued then that, "““do anything it considers appropriate””," is inappropriate. That is the only way in which I can describe it. I do not suppose that the noble Baroness will be minded to concede the amendment—it would be a record if she were to do so; we would strike one up on the board and think, ““Whoopee””—but I ask her to take it away and get it properly and legally considered. My concern is the same as that of the noble Baroness, Lady Ford, and my noble friend Lord Eccles. What will happen if something goes to judicial review with the clause as it is worded? I really would like this to be very well tested by professional lawyers before we go any further with the Bill in its present form. I ask the noble Baroness to take that request away. Perhaps she already has a legal opinion—I do not know; I see a piece of paper coming forward. If she has not, it would be good if she could do that and, when she has the result, circulate it to Members of the Committee. This is an extremely serious matter, and every Member of the Committee would welcome an authoritative answer. I am not sure whether I am prepared to take the view of those who drafted the Bill on this, because ““They would say that, wouldn’t they?””. I would want an independent view, if at all possible.