Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Paddy Tipping (Labour). It was answered on Thursday, 2 November 2006 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Marine Bill

Question: On the manifesto commitment and the consultation, does the Secretary of State accept that this is a complex area and that the best way forward would be to produce a draft Bill in the next Session so that the competing interests and difficulties can be worked through?

Answer: My hon. Friend speaks with considerable expertise in this area, not least because of his membership of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee. He raises exactly the right point: this is a complex area. The relationship between sea and land planning is obviously part of that, as is the relationship between UK legislation and the devolved Administrations. We are committed to having real interrogation and examination of the proposals. Whether that takes place by means of a draft Bill or through a further round of consultation is something that we should leave open at this stage.

Secondary information