Welfare Reform Bill

Baroness Gibson of Market Rasen Excerpts

Tuesday 1st November 2011 Grand Committee

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees]

My Lords, I think that the principals are here, so can we return to the Bill? Does the noble Baroness, Lady Hollis, wish to continue?

[Baroness Hollis of Heigham]

No, I suggest that the Minister responds.

--- Later in debate ---

Transparency is important. One provision in the amendment is that we go to Parliament to ask for permission to pass the regulations. That is a transparent process; it is not hidden. We would have to explain what we are doing and why. I cannot imagine that that information would not keep coming back to Parliament; I do not know in exactly what forum. To that extent, I am sure that there would be a real process. On the question raised by the noble Baroness, Lady Hayter, about “replace and extend”, there is a catchphrase that the DWP has more pilots than Pan Am, it used to be; it is now probably Ryanair. One reason for that is that when you have run a pilot and then want to introduce it universally because it worked, you have to pretend, rather than stopping a pilot and starting again, that you were continuing to pilot it.

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees]

My Lords, there is another Division in the House. The Committee will report back at 17:43 precisely.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees]

My Lords, I think that all the important people are back.

[Lord Freud]

I think that I had completed everything I need to say about these piloting powers and ask the noble Lord to withdraw his amendment.