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Flood and Water Management Bill

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for his explanation which, as he described, represents a wise precaution. I can understand the Government’s desire to protect consumers, as indeed we would seek to do. I hope that the Minister will bear in mind that these regulations should not be drafted in a way such that some of the expertise which is rife is excluded. We are dealing with companies whose ownership and make-up may be extremely complex. They have specialist divisions that can contribute enormously to all sorts of infrastructure projects—particularly some of these high-risk ones. Finding a way of regulating, controlling and providing a cushion for consumers will be key to this. I hope that the Minister will bear that in mind in his discussions on the regulations. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment 98 withdrawn. Amendment 99 not moved.. Clause 35 agreed. Clause 36 : Water use: temporary bans Clause 36 : Water use: temporary bans Debate on whether Clause 36 should stand part of the Bill.