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Housing and Regeneration Bill

When I first looked at the amendments I thought they made good sense. The arguments have been developed a little further but to me it makes sense that no member of staff—and that includes the chief executive—should be a member of the committee or the sub-committee or on the board. For example, at a council level you do not expect the chief executive to be a member of the council. He attends all the council meetings, gives very good advice, which is valued and listened to, but he is not a member of the council. As my noble friend Lord Eccles said, he can attend sub-committees and contribute very well indeed, but he does not have to be a member of the board or the sub-committee and that is the right way round.