As the Committee can probably tell from our discussion on the previous amendment, we are of a similar frame of mind to my noble friend and will also consider the reply.

As the Committee can probably tell from our discussion on the previous amendment, we are of a similar frame of mind to my noble friend and will also consider the reply.

I thank the Minister for how he replied to the questions that I put. The famous case on this matter dates from 1976. It was the Secretary of State for Education and Science v Tameside Borough Council. It may be of interest to the Committee to know that Lord Denning gave a judgment,...

I thank the Minister for how he replied to the questions that I put. The famous case on this matter dates from 1976. It was the Secretary of State for Education and Science v Tameside Borough Council. It may be of interest to the Committee to know that Lord Denning gave a judgment,...

Of course it will be for the noble Baroness, Lady Byford, to decide what to do with her Amendment No. 272. The Minister referred to the fact that the wording was drawn from the 1990 Act. I was wondering whether some of the resistance to increasing the biodiversity terminology, which, as he admits, the Government...

Of course it will be for the noble Baroness, Lady Byford, to decide what to do with her Amendment No. 272. The Minister referred to the fact that the wording was drawn from the 1990 Act. I was wondering whether some of the resistance to increasing the biodiversity terminology, which, as he admits, the Government...

Powers of direction are very much reserved powers, and we hope never to have to use them. But they are part and parcel of the safeguards that are built into the framework when setting up an NDPB. We referred earlier to the circumstances in which this power could be used....

Powers of direction are very much reserved powers, and we hope never to have to use them. But they are part and parcel of the safeguards that are built into the framework when setting up an NDPB. We referred earlier to the circumstances in which this power could be used....

I am grateful to the Minister and also to the noble Lord, Lord Cameron, for his comments. Clearly, events have overtaken what I had not read into the Bill, as explained by the Minister. I will look at what he has said. At this stage, I beg leave to withdrawn the amendment. Amendment, by leave,...

I am grateful to the Minister and also to the noble Lord, Lord Cameron, for his comments. Clearly, events have overtaken what I had not read into the Bill, as explained by the Minister. I will look at what he has said. At this stage, I beg leave to withdrawn the amendment. Amendment, by leave,...

That, too, will affect the cost, because the figure that was given to my noble friend probably does not include where the venue will eventually be.

That, too, will affect the cost, because the figure that was given to my noble friend probably does not include where the venue will eventually be.

Our Amendment No. 216 is grouped with this amendment. Here, I dare say we are touching on the whole sphere of open and joined-up government. Those who volunteer in public service, such as school governors, county or district councillors and many others, will be aware of the thousands of hours spent cancelling and...

Our Amendment No. 216 is grouped with this amendment. Here, I dare say we are touching on the whole sphere of open and joined-up government. Those who volunteer in public service, such as school governors, county or district councillors and many others, will be aware of the thousands of hours spent cancelling and...

I thank the noble Lord for giving way. I will do my best to answer those questions. I have already said that the clause is no wider than similar clauses in other legislation. We see directions very much as a last resort—that was the example I attempted to give. There are no draft directions...

I thank the noble Lord for giving way. I will do my best to answer those questions. I have already said that the clause is no wider than similar clauses in other legislation. We see directions very much as a last resort—that was the example I attempted to give. There are no draft directions...

The noble Lord, Lord Renton, asked me what the CRC would add compared with the Countryside Agency. As the noble Earl, Lord Peel, mentioned and as was referred to in the report of the noble Lord, Lord Haskins, we dealt with the delivery of functions as well as having advisory functions, and...

The noble Lord, Lord Renton, asked me what the CRC would add compared with the Countryside Agency. As the noble Earl, Lord Peel, mentioned and as was referred to in the report of the noble Lord, Lord Haskins, we dealt with the delivery of functions as well as having advisory functions, and...

This is a small amendment but it disguises a very important point. The same point was made in Amendment No. 261, which none of us spoke to. There is no doubt that the Secretary of State is gradually accruing more and more functions. This point is being examined by the committee...

This is a small amendment but it disguises a very important point. The same point was made in Amendment No. 261, which none of us spoke to. There is no doubt that the Secretary of State is gradually accruing more and more functions. This point is being examined by the committee...

I remind the Minister that when we were addressing the general purposes of Natural England in an earlier clause, I moved an amendment to the effect that Natural England should have regard to the economic and social well-being of those who live and work in rural areas. I remember very well that the...

I remind the Minister that when we were addressing the general purposes of Natural England in an earlier clause, I moved an amendment to the effect that Natural England should have regard to the economic and social well-being of those who live and work in rural areas. I remember very well that the...

I think it is the latter, rather than the former, but I am entitled to that opinion. I am sure that we will return to this important issue. I have already thanked the noble Lord, Lord Brooke, for having raised it. It is interesting that this is considered to be the difficult choice—the one that...

I think it is the latter, rather than the former, but I am entitled to that opinion. I am sure that we will return to this important issue. I have already thanked the noble Lord, Lord Brooke, for having raised it. It is interesting that this is considered to be the difficult choice—the one that...

These things must be done properly. The research councils are given a degree of independence, even if their funding comes largely from government. It is for them to make their decisions. Otherwise, what is the point of having research councils? So, let things happen one thing at a time. Let...

These things must be done properly. The research councils are given a degree of independence, even if their funding comes largely from government. It is for them to make their decisions. Otherwise, what is the point of having research councils? So, let things happen one thing at a time. Let...

I would like to clarify a matter with the Minister. In the first instance, clearly it is a decision for NERC. I asked the noble Lord, Lord Sainsbury, a question, to which he replied:"““The Government provides funding to the . . . NERC to support research and related postgraduate training in environmental sciences in the...

I would like to clarify a matter with the Minister. In the first instance, clearly it is a decision for NERC. I asked the noble Lord, Lord Sainsbury, a question, to which he replied:"““The Government provides funding to the . . . NERC to support research and related postgraduate training in environmental sciences in the...

The Minister made it clear that he was going to disappoint us. This is obviously not—I repeat not—the equivalent of the Latin American diplomat in the margins of whose speech appeared the words, ““Weak point: shout””. The Minister was robust in his reply. More significant, perhaps, was the mild problem that...

The Minister made it clear that he was going to disappoint us. This is obviously not—I repeat not—the equivalent of the Latin American diplomat in the margins of whose speech appeared the words, ““Weak point: shout””. The Minister was robust in his reply. More significant, perhaps, was the mild problem that...

I will give an example of how it would make a specific difference. When the Improvement and Development Agency or the Audit Commission come to inspect a local authority, they are primarily inspecting the things it has a statutory duty to do. Biodiversity is therefore always much further down the list....

I will give an example of how it would make a specific difference. When the Improvement and Development Agency or the Audit Commission come to inspect a local authority, they are primarily inspecting the things it has a statutory duty to do. Biodiversity is therefore always much further down the list....

I am sorry to interrupt the Minister. I have listened very carefully to what has been said, and I recognise that it is late at night—I am normally one for saying we should go to bed at 10 pm. What duties is the fire service involved with that are different from a local authority, which has...

I am sorry to interrupt the Minister. I have listened very carefully to what has been said, and I recognise that it is late at night—I am normally one for saying we should go to bed at 10 pm. What duties is the fire service involved with that are different from a local authority, which has...

We were talking about biodiversity, as I understood it, not the police force. I was giving the fire service as an example. What would be the benefit of putting this obligation on the fire service?

We were talking about biodiversity, as I understood it, not the police force. I was giving the fire service as an example. What would be the benefit of putting this obligation on the fire service?

It is this Government who are proposing to alter totally how local government works. For example, the Minister has mentioned the fire service, but I could mention the police service. There are many of us in this Chamber who are apprehensive about some of the proposals for merging police forces. Those...

It is this Government who are proposing to alter totally how local government works. For example, the Minister has mentioned the fire service, but I could mention the police service. There are many of us in this Chamber who are apprehensive about some of the proposals for merging police forces. Those...

I am grateful, but the whole argument about local authorities is hypothetical because we have not yet changed the law. I notice that I was immediately interrupted, quite properly, when I dared to mention local authorities. However, I notice that no one got on their feet so quickly when I mentioned the example of the fire...

I am grateful, but the whole argument about local authorities is hypothetical because we have not yet changed the law. I notice that I was immediately interrupted, quite properly, when I dared to mention local authorities. However, I notice that no one got on their feet so quickly when I mentioned the example of the fire...