Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [Lords]

Surely the right hon. Lady accepts that it would have been better to introduce these proposals in less difficult and more economically benign times. The right hon. Member for Greenwich and Woolwich (Mr. Raynsford) has mentioned the Latham review. We have had two substantive and detailed public consultations, detailed papers by the then Department of Trade and Industry, and the policy of the Welsh Assembly, yet only now, years after the Latham review, are the Government bringing forward the proposals, tacked on to another Bill and not as part of a substantive construction Bill. Is that not a fair point?