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Marine and Coastal Access Bill [HL]

Amendment 32 reflects to some extent the anxieties expressed when the Committee last studied the Bill that the Bill does not provide sufficient expression of purpose in setting the MMO’s general objectives and giving priority—or at least specific reference—to the issues of conservation. I hope the noble Baroness, Lady Young of Old Scone, will speak to the amendment, because we on these Benches and she share anxiety on the point. We believe that the so-called Sandford principle, which was so important to those of us involved in the national parks, should be seen as a possible model for the Bill. The amendment sets out a number of general objectives that would strengthen the MMO’s objective base. The evidence we have received so far from a large number of NGOs has been to the effect that they are concerned that the current provision is too weak and needs strengthening. The amendment therefore sets out a number of specific objectives, from (a) to (d), whereby we seek to adapt the list incorporated in the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 and give it a marine tinge. We are taking Parliament’s previous decision on these matters and adapting it appropriately to the marine environment. The list includes, "““promoting marine conservation and protecting and enhancing biodiversity and habitats … conserving and enhancing the marine landscape including the seabed and geological features … promoting the study, understanding and enjoyment of the marine environment … undertaking research and providing information and advice to the Secretary of State and other public bodies, and generally on all aspects of the UK marine area and the social and economic uses which take place in it””." It is a simple read-across from the previous legislation, and it is important to include it. I should underline that we have also made reference in a separate new subsection—I hope the Minister accepts that it covers a lacuna in the Bill—to the general objective to, "““work closely with coastal communities””." That will have an important resonance when the Bill reaches the other place. Members of the Committee who have represented a coastal community, as I have, will recognise that it is critically important that these objectives are accepted and owned by those who live along our coasts. If coastal communities feel that this policy is being imposed on them and the MMO’s objectives do not sufficiently recognise these communities’ role in developing the policy, then the policy will fail. In developing the MMO’s role it is extremely important that we take with us the population of those communities as well as those whose livelihoods depend on the sea. This is a bit of a portmanteau amendment which adopts some important objectives from previous legislation. But it also addresses the issue of involving coastal communities in the development of these policy objectives. I hope the Minister will respond specifically on that. I beg to move.