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Planning Bill

My Lords, I was puzzled by many of these amendments. I am involved in a number of charities, as is evident from the Register of Lords’ Interests. The noble Lord’s amendment to Clause 209 does not seem reasonable. It would be unreasonable to fetter the Executive as tightly as some of these amendments would oblige. It may be that noble Lords opposite do not contemplate being in government and that were they to be so they might take a different view. I was much persuaded by the remarks of the noble Lord, Lord Best. He was talking, of course, about exemptions for charities. Speaking generally, the term ““charity”” covers a wide range of undertakings, and the activities of charitable institutions are also very varied—the charity owned by Northern Rock had some curious aspects. Some charitable trusts put up buildings that have significant infrastructure implications; for example, a big art gallery in a city centre. Such trusts are economic undertakings when they charge to make a return on investments and to create additional funds. We are party to treaty obligations not to create unfair competition through state aid, with penalties, including for the charities, if we do. I live not far from the piers of the south-east coast, which could be a case in point. There is a real difference between what non-government Members may suggest and what Governments can actually do. I hope we do not accept constraints that would be quite unsuitable.