Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]

My Lords, as was said in the other place when this was debated, we strongly support this clause and the amendments which have been put forward. They are essential protection, particularly for the sub-contractors, who are often the people we read about in our newspapers day after day, going out of business as a result of funds not being passed on to them at an appropriate speed by main contractors. Anything that can be done to strengthen their position will be welcome, and this certainly does that. We also support the strengthening of the adjudication system, and I echo the comments made by my honourable friend Stewart Jackson in another place. He said that this area was so complex and detailed that perhaps it merited a stand-alone construction Bill in order to deal with all that. I think, however—trying to be charitable—that we are quickly running out of time in this Session, so there is not likely to be such a Bill soon. But a specific Bill focused on construction, to draw in all of the areas in which they operate, particularly in relation to requirements on credit insurance, would be widely welcomed. Even in their present form, the new provisions are a significant step forward, and will provide welcome relief when implemented to many essential small and medium-sized businesses up and down the country.