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Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill

I am grateful for the broad welcome for the measure from hon. Members on both sides of the House. As I said, on 9 May, the Secretary of State outlined his vision of a sustainable development strategy for Northern Ireland. That backs up the Government’s £59 million package of measures to help to support a range of initiatives on sustainable development in Northern Ireland. The principle today is that we give the Secretary of State a power to place that duty on local councils. As I indicated in an intervention, I inherited the post of Deputy First Minister and First Minister a week ago following the internal reshuffle in Northern Ireland. It is our intention to look at how we can consult onthe issues that the hon. Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Dodds) mentioned—the practicalities and what the duty means in practice. We want to ensure that we encourage local authorities and other public bodies to act in a sustainable way. That will include looking at recycling, energy conservation and a range of issues to help to build a sustainable Northern Ireland. I accept fully that there may in due course be cost implications. In due course, duties may be placed. It is my intention and that of colleagues, following the Secretary of State’s announcement, to look at the issue of guidance and what the provision means in practice, and to issue that for consultation with local authorities as part of examining the matter in more detail.