Housing and Regeneration Bill

I am sorry to be a bit cold waterish about the amendment, particularly as I strongly support the principles behind it. Noble Lords might think that as a former employee of a regulator I would welcome this very handy tool, but I think that so-called Henry VIII provisions are to be resisted if at all possible. This one is not just enabling; it is enabling primary legislation to be amended by subordinate legislation. On the whole, that is not a democratic procedure. In any case, as far as I can see, the process is not likely to go faster than the primary legislation which, I understand, my noble friend intends to bring forward. I feel uneasy about the Henry VIII aspect.