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Broads Authority Bill (By Order)

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for making that point. I have tried to highlight three issues. First, there are the increased powers of the Broads Authority. I do not suggest that they are Machiavellian, but they are strong. The identity and qualifications of the authorising officers must be considered, and that leads directly to the budget and its management. Secondly, there are the four petitioners and the issues that they raised. Thirdly, I hope that the board will accept that the town and parish councils should have a representative on it. The purpose of my hon. Friend the Member for South Norfolk and I in blocking the Bill was not to prevent its progress but to hold a good-natured and informed debate—so far, that has happened—because we all have at heart the interests of making the broads safe for those who sail and play on them and getting the balance right between work, leisure and life.