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Planning and Energy Bill

I begin by welcoming the spirit in which the debate has taken place today, and the intent, manner and sentiment behind the Bill, although that was spoilt somewhat by the partisan approach of the hon. Member for Bexhill and Battle (Gregory Barker). I am glad that we have moved on. We have all come a long way in 20 years, not least the hon. Member for Sevenoaks (Mr. Fallon). As a north-eastern MP, I remember him as a former Member for Darlington. There has always been a lot of animosity between Darlington and Hartlepool, largely as a result of football clubs, but I hope we do not see any of that animosity today. About 20 years ago, climate change was so low on the political radar that when Margaret Thatcher's chief scientific adviser warned her about the threat of global warming she is said to have replied, ““Are you seriously telling me that I should have to worry about the weather?”” That is important; we have moved on because climate change is of profound concern to us all today. The weight of scientific evidence is irrefutable.