Member

I am also aware that the Bill as drafted under the previous Administration would have set the threshold at 100 people rather than 200. However, this Government, having engaged in a very full consultation process—one that some of us thought was going on for far too long—have come up with the figure of 200 people. Of course, there is no absolute magic rationale that would pick a number out of the air. Whether it is 200, 251 or 188 people does not really matter; it is a fact that the basis was reached following consultation with a full range of organisations, including religious premises, small businesses and more substantial venue owners. Therefore, we have to accept that there is an element of judgment—and that judgment was reached following consultation.