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Climate Change Bill [HL]

My Lords, each time that we return to this topic—and I make no real apology for rehearsing arguments not only from Committee but from today’s discussions—we come to the heart of governance that is left within this Bill. There are important issues involved, and when I listen to the arguments I can appreciate the exact positions that other noble Lords are taking up, including the Minister. I understand why Governments are reluctant to give executive authority to a committee, however well qualified or authorised. One thing seeping through, however, is the notion that the process can, in the end, only become fully satisfactory by making sure that Parliament has every opportunity to discuss these things properly. I believe that is what lay behind the comments of the noble Lord, Lord Puttnam. Parliament should indeed be informed about differences of opinion that may occur between the climate change committee and the Secretary of State; that is why we have welcomed the moves that the Minister has made on these grounds. I only hope that, as this Bill passes to its Third Reading, we will bear all of this in mind when we come across similar issues. Meanwhile, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clause 9 [Consultation on carbon budgets]: