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Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Bill [Lords]

The Minister is very generous. It is important that when we legislate, the record is made clear. I understand the exemptions that the Minister cited—"““serious harm to human health or the environment…or the financial interests of consumers””—" but the critical question concerns a situation in which the interests of a local authority mean they want to use strong powers against a miscreant, such as someone in the licensed trade, and that is the clear will of that town, but those actions would go against the national guidance and the decision is overruled because of the primary authority’s decision. Does the Minister understand that there will be a sense in that area that the inhabitants’ democratic wishes will be undermined? I understand the factual arguments, all of which have merit, but the point is that there is a danger that there will be a deficit in the democratic process and people will feel that the system is ignoring their local concerns.