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Climate Change Bill [HL]

There is no responsibility written in the Bill in those terms, but the noble Lord will recognise that what is described in the Bill is the relationship between the Secretary of State and the devolved authorities. I appeal to his profound understanding of politics. This is a transparent and open process and in a clear case where there has been a significant dereliction that would be for a pretty good reason. To put it mildly, the whole nation would know of it, not just the devolved Administration. Of course the Secretary of State would have to reach a judgment on how reparation would subsequently be made. The judgment might well be entirely right, fair and proper and the devolved Administration who had missed the targets might well be expected to make the reparation next time. On the other hand, it might be judged that no one could have foreseen the circumstances where the failure occurred. Within that framework, the Secretary of State might judge that with its rather greater resources it should be borne by the United Kingdom, which at the end of the day is responsible to the international judgment on these matters. I make the obvious point to the noble Lord, and indeed to the noble Baroness, that we are dealing with a process of consultation and an adjustment of understanding what is sought and should be achieved. There will be toing and froing within that framework in very much the same way as the noble Baroness has identified in her use of other authorities as an illustration. What is clear in the Bill is that the actual achievement of targets is the responsibility of the Secretary of State.