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Confident Consumers

That is a fair point. I am working on it as we speak. We have been consulting since January, and yesterday’s stakeholders meeting represented almost the culmination of that first phase. I must now organise a further consultation, and, as the hon. Gentleman says, if it is to form any part of the legislative programme it will have to start fairly soon. Given that it is part of a continuing process of consultation, I expect that that will be the case. I shall give the hon. Gentleman the information as soon as I can. I shall ensure that he does not read it in the newspapers, and that I announce it in the House. I want to say a few words about the national debate on small shops. It grates a little when, just as that debate begins, the hon. Member for Hertford and Stortford announces that he wants to close the Small Business Service. Small businesses will be horrified to hear that. The Conservatives say one thing, but would do another—yet another example of their flip-flopping. This Government have shown their absolute commitment to the regeneration of town centres and marginal shopping areas, and to the renaissance of villages, small towns and estates, all of which were abandoned during 18 years of Tory government. A key aspect of that fundamental renaissance is bringing sustainable local businesses back to communities. This Government have pumped, and continue to pump, billions of pounds into the renaissance not just of our cities, but our out-of-town areas, villages and estates, all of which the previous Government abandoned. Small businesses have a big role to play in that renaissance.