Housing and Regeneration Bill

I was amused by the reference in Clause 97(4) to, "““the consent of the Secretary of State””" to financial assistance, "““(given with the approval of the Treasury)””." It would be a brave Secretary of State who did something of which the Treasury did not approve. On my own amendment, the Minister said that she agreed with the point but said that it was important research, irrespective of who did it. I know that that was intended to be inclusive rather than exclusive, but I was hoping, to the extent that her department is able to influence the work of the regulator, that it will encourage the regulator to take on this wider-ranging research as part of achieving the objectives. Although the department and the regulator are not the same, I am sure that the department will have a great deal of influence. I am grateful to her for the assurances that she has given and I hope that that will be undertaken, because for the regulator to succeed his horizons need to be quite broad. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause 99 agreed to. Clause 100 agreed to. Clause 101 [Charging]: [Amendment No. 104C not moved.] Clause 101 agreed to. Clauses 102 and 103 agreed to. Clause 104 [Accounts]: [Amendment No. 105 not moved.] Clause 104 agreed to. Clauses 105 and 106 agreed to. Clause 107 [Direction to the HCA]: