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Planning Bill

My Lords, this has been an extremely interesting, helpful and clarifying debate, because we have made real progress since Committee. If one or two fast balls from the government Benches have hit me in the ribs, it is fair enough—it is partly the nature of what we do. It would be superfluous at this hour to prolong the discussion or be rude enough to press the issue to a vote. I am grateful to my noble friend Lord Jenkin of Roding for making the case so strongly. If he had not done so, we would not have had from the Minister the clear explanation of what is intended and how she hopes the process will ultimately work. The proof of the pudding will as always be in the eating. I have to hope that the Minister’s expectations are proved correct and that our pessimism is proved incorrect. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendment No. 35 not moved.]