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Planning-gain Supplement (Preparations) Bill

The right hon. Gentleman’s argument cuts in exactly the opposite direction. The House has been reasonably and rightly critical of some Government IT projects, and the basis of some of the criticism has often been that the projects have been rushed and insufficient time has been allowed for preparation. The purpose of the paving Bill is to allow us to be in a position such that, should we decide to go ahead with the planning-gain supplement, we can begin the proper and necessary preparations from that day. To delay in that way would increase the risks about which the right hon. Gentleman is rightly concerned. The new clause is also unnecessary because the Government are well aware of the interaction of the planning-gain supplement with devolved policy areas, which for some time we have been examining closely with the Scottish Executive and the devolved authorities, even though it is not a matter for this Bill.