258.Subsection (1) gives the Secretary of State the power to periodically set the target number. The target number is the number of registered premises as regards which insurers are collectively required to issue policies under the regulations in section 70. It can be expressed as a percentage of the premises on the register. The regulations can specify different targets for insurance policies relating to different descriptions of risk. Regulations made under this section may set target numbers for two or more consecutive compliance periods so that insurers may plan ahead.