We are going to support the passing of this Bill in the final stage today. We recognise that, due to ONS reclassification, this is a necessary piece of legislation and we note that the Bill, in its final form, resembles similar legislation, as has been mentioned by the Minister, undertaken in England and in Scotland respectively. Although in crafting this legislation the Welsh Government had to be wary of the restrictions placed upon it by reclassification requirements, I believe that a number of amendments, particularly surrounding tenant consultations, could have been stronger, and that was reflected in David Melding's very noble efforts in that regard.

Technically, we are turning housing associations into private companies or something potentially resembling social enterprises. There is no guarantee that the fundamental nature of housing associations in Wales couldn't change over the next few years as a result of elements of this Bill, so I was disappointed that there wasn't a greater emphasis on post-legislative scrutiny as part of the final Bill, but I'm sure that Assembly Members on this side of the Chamber, and others I'm sure, will keep a close eye on developments and would like to track what happens emanating from the passing of this Bill. We would like to ensure that no unintended consequences creep into this particular element of legislation. Particularly, in this last week, I've heard concerns raised by Shelter, for example, about 3 per cent salary increases by a certain social landlord every year while rents are actually going up for those struggling to survive, especially with regard to welfare reform. So, we wouldn't want to see too much of that happening if the rents are going to continue to rise, so that's something we'd have to keep a close eye on with changes to legislation.

But, as I've said, we are minded to support this particular piece of legislation, hoping, though, that the Minister will continue her conversations with people like myself on the opposition benches in relation to tenant rights, in relation to how we can engage more positively with them so that they can feel part of the process, and ownership of the processes, because they are integral to how we develop the sector.