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Legislative and Regulatory Reform Bill

My understanding of ministerial undertakings is that they are regarded as binding only on the Government of whom the Minister in question is a member. Leaving aside the history of ministerial undertakings not being adhered to by some Governments—and although I am sure that, if we took office, we would be impeccably deregulatory and simultaneously sensitive to the procedures of the House—the fact is that many undertakings given by the present Government would not be regarded as binding on successor Governments. I envisage that in 10 years’ time, ministerial undertakings will be regarded as somewhat irrelevant. Indeed, that is why we did not accept assurances—given constantly by the previous Minister in response to complaints—that the original Bill would not be used in the way that it plainly allowed for if someone stuck to the law.