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Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Bill [Lords]

The Minister has been exceptionally gracious, and has entered into the debate, but we now see the division between the two sides of the House. The Government’s view is that the regulator is the important organisation, and has the right to impose from the centre a decision to apply a sanction or hold a trial. There is no reference to the reputation of the business. If the case goes to court, and the business has an independent hearing before the judiciary, the business is clearly stating, for everyone to see, that it does not believe that what the regulator says is right. In 50 per cent. of cases—or more, if one believes what one reads in Government documents—it will win. This is just a matter of justice. A by-election is being fought this week on the issue of justice. Is not the provision yet another example of draconian centralisation by the Government?