---

Climate Change Bill [HL]

I lend my support to my noble friend. Much of this Bill seeks a fair balance between mitigation and adaptation. We have discussed the need for special provisions and expertise to deal with adaptation. I am sure that the Minister will say that, as the Bill places a requirement on the Government to develop an adaptation programme—matters for which the Secretary of State is responsible—it is inconceivable that the Secretary of State would not fulfil or implement such a programme, which must contribute to sustainable development. All that is clearly the case but I cannot for the life of me see that any harm would be done by putting responsibility firmly and squarely on the Secretary of State, if only to state the obvious.