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Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill

moved Amendment No. 337:"Page 31, line 26, leave out ““or give guidance or directions”” and insert ““, give directions or guidance or issue codes of practice””" The noble Baroness said: This amendment responds to a small but important point highlighted by the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee. We are most grateful for the helpful report that it produced under the chairmanship of the noble Lord, Lord Dahrendorf. The committee noticed that in Clause 74, which deals with reserved functions, we had excluded from delegation various legislative or quasi-legislative functions but had not mentioned codes of practice. We agree that these should be mentioned because codes of practice are often indistinguishable from guidance, and in some cases where compliance is made mandatory, from directions, so we are happy to make this small change. This will not prevent bodies with delivery functions from issuing non-statutory codes of practice, which is an essential aspect of their normal business. For example, Natural England wildlife inspectors, acting under Part 8 agreements, will be drawing up and issuing non-statutory codes of practice that simply explain the basis on which their inspectors will carry out their inspections. Such codes play an important part in better regulation and providing an improved service to customers. On that basis, I beg to move. On Question, amendment agreed to. Clause 74, as amended, agreed to. Clause 75 agreed to. Clause 76 [Particular powers]: