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Budget Responsibility and National Audit Bill [HL]

I am indeed. It is appropriate to thank people, when a Bill has gone through in this co-operative manner, for what has been achieved. I know that the Government think that this side of the House has taken a somewhat belt-and-braces approach to the independence of the OBR; I am sure that Sir Humphrey, or perhaps Sir Nicholas, does. However, it can do no harm to the OBR’s reputation to have a belt in place when the braces fail. It is the Government’s responsibility now to ensure that this important experiment in economic governance is a success. We on this side wish Mr Chote and his team well.