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Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill

The hon. Lady is accurate. The National Assembly for Wales has a statutory duty on that basis. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has shown, from the Government’s perspective, that we wish to promote sustainable development. Subsection (3) allows for ““public authority”” to mean"““any other person designated for the purposes of this section by order made by the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.””" The Northern Ireland Assembly can consider that. The Government have tried to set down objectives for local authorities and other public bodies. We have left open the opportunity for other persons to be designated. If the Assembly wants to have a statutory authority, it can examine those matters and discuss them with the Northern Ireland team. I commend the new clause and hope that it receives the support of hon. Members on both sides of the House.