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As amended in the Standing Committee, further considered.

My hon. Friend spells out the reality of the parliamentary process. With the best will in the world, let us assume that the Bill receives its Third Reading in June, which seems the most likely outcome now. It must, quite properly, still go to the House of Lords and undergo scrutiny there. We are talking about Queen’s consent to such a Bill towards the end of this year. Even if it were to be implemented immediately—many of the provisions envisage a longer perspective beyond that—we should assume that the provisions are likely to start having effect some time in 2007, or more likely in 2008. That is a good thing for those who think the Bill is a good thing, but it would be no quicker than that. I cannot give my hon. Friend any comfort. That is the likely time scale for the Bill’s progress. My amendment No. 15 would remove clause 17 from the Bill. If I have time, I might mention the Government amendments. The problem that I have with clause 17 is that, on the face of it, it threatens to place additional burdens on parish councils, which are the bodies least able to do justice to the sort of duties that would be placed upon them. I have looked up a few figures, which suggest that a typical parish council has a population of about 1,700. They vary enormously, as you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, will know better than most of us, given your constituency.