Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]

That is slightly harsh. It depends on the EPB in question. Let us assume that an EPB is set up and that it wants to draw down additional powers. It is possible that there will be issues about third-level benefits, for example. It may want to establish a relationship with the DWP or in relation to skills funding. I hope that everyone in the Committee will understand that the nature of the powers will depend on the nature of the functions that are sought. Because the scope is very wide, at this point we cannot give categorical answers. However, this is clearly a fundamentally important issue.