Marine Bill

Question: Will my right hon. Friend assure me that when the marine Bill is brought before the House there will have been close collaboration with the devolved Administrations? We cannot have a parting of the Red sea, whereby the seas are expected suddenly to stop when they come to the areas that are the responsibility of the devolved Administrations. The Bill must be implemented across the different areas of the United Kingdom at the same time.

Answer: I am sad to say that my geography lessons ended in my third year at secondary school, but I think that the Red sea to which my hon. Friend is referring is metaphorical rather than literal. I assure her not only that there will be consultation with the devolved Administrations but that there is such consultation. We want to make sure that the Bill will harness the strength of the UK at a national level and, through the devolved Administrations, the local expertise that exists.

Secondary information