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Housing and Regeneration Bill

I add very briefly to what my noble friend Lord Cathcart said on eco-towns and local authorities’ views on them. Could the noble Baroness be clear about what weight will be given to local authorities’ views on this? After all, this is not a nimby issue. This is not a few people with nice houses who do not want a development near them; this is the result of extensive consultation. It has been the main story on the front page of all local newspapers for two or three months. Local authorities have debated the matter at length. On local elections, I have to say to the noble Lord, Lord Greaves, that Stratford-on-Avon was one of the few councils that threw out some Conservatives and elected some Liberal Democrat members. This goes across parties—Conservative, Liberal Democrats, Labour—and I think there is even a Green on the Stratford-on-Avon District Council. So the decision is consensual and agreed unanimously, as I said yesterday, by the local council. I know Stratford; I do not know what the complexion of the Wychavon District Council is, but it too has come out unanimously against proposals, as have both Members of Parliament who are involved in this. What will the process be? Will those expressions of public opinion and the responsibilities of local authorities to their electors be ignored, in the sense of, ““Yes, we listen to what you say; we hear what you say, but actually you are going to get the medicine anyway, whether or not you like it””? Is that what is going to happen with eco-towns? Currently 15 sites are shortlisted. I take it from the response we received yesterday that in the end 10 will be chosen—five and then probably another five—which means that the chances are two to one of getting one. I cannot speak for all of them, but two or three local authorities have come out very strongly against the proposal to have an eco-town. How will the Government deal with this very strong democratic feeling that local authorities do not want eco-towns? Will they be imposed on them? That is the question my noble friend asked. It will be an important answer for people involved in this argument. The consultation period ends on 30 June, so there is not much time for further debate. Therefore, a strongly indicative answer now would be of great help before the next stage of the debate.