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Compensation Bill [HL]

I am very grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Goodhart, and my noble friend Lord Eccles for their support. But I would like to press the Minister a little further. It would be helpful if she could indicate whether the draft regulations exist. The timescale is getting very tight. Next week we shall complete Committee stage. Already, we have been given indications that Report stage will follow reasonably soon thereafter. The noble Baroness has given a commitment, which I know she will honour, to share with us the draft regulations before Report stage. Could the noble Baroness give us an idea of how long these regulations are? How many pages are there? Do they exist? Will she accept that we would love to have a look at them? We will not necessarily expect them to be the final draft. We will expect, of course, there to be various points raised on the draft regulations. I am sure that I speak for the whole Committee in saying that the earlier we have an opportunity to have a look at them, the more that we will understand the Government’s approach, be able to prepare for Report stage and be able to put down amendments, if necessary, for Report stage, after having seen the draft regulations. I hope that the noble Baroness understands that the timescale is getting concertinaed. It may be that the draft regulations will be the complete answer and that we will say, ““Fine. We are very happy. Let us now proceed as soon as possible””. I would be very grateful if the noble Baroness could give us a little more idea of the timing that she has in mind.