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Marine and Coastal Access Bill [HL]

I am interested in the amendments to which the noble Lord, Lord Rosser, has so ably spoken. I look forward to the Minister’s reply with interest. It would be well if the Committee were informed of the details of what is anticipated in staffing the MMO. It would be useful to know, for example, the estimates of the number of Crown servants who are being brought in from various departments and government agencies to staff up the MMO. I well understand the Government’s concern about having two classes of employees within a single body; that could create enormous difficulties. However, it would be useful to understand the Government’s reasoning on the core of the matter. As for the location being suggested to be Newcastle, the footballers of Grimsby are known as ““the Mariners””. Without doubt, as Grimsby has the distinctions of being not only in Lincolnshire but also the pre-eminent fishing port of the United Kingdom, it would make an ideal location for the MMO.