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Housing

The hon. Gentleman makes a very strong point. Back in July of last year, the Government’s whole argument was that we should see the pilots come to fruition, which would satisfy our every qualm and concern. That is a perfectly fair starting point—but not if the scheme is then introduced before the pilot study has been completed, before an evaluation has been made and before a report has been placed before this House. In the emollient part of her speech, the Minister said that the pilot studies have in fact influenced the final document—that changes have been made. If Members take a careful look at the Government’s explanatory memorandum, they will see that it details some of the changes that have been made as a consequence of taking account of the first half of the pilot studies. The Government found evidence of changes that need to be made, but they seem to have closed their mind to the possibility that the second half of the pilot studies might equally produce such evidence. Instead of taking time to consider that possibility, they have pitchforked us into these regulations, which could be described as half-formed.