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Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]

I am grateful to the Minister for her response. I was heartened by her words about the intention of the Bill. I again agree with the noble Baroness, Lady Hamwee, that the Minister is in no way a centralising maniac, but that is not to say that future Secretaries of State of whatever colour or persuasion may not be. That is why I fear that the Secretary of State’s fallback position could be used to interfere with local decision-making. If they wished to impose a new priority locally, the reviews could be used as a mechanism for achieving that. I raise those concerns again. I take on board the Minister’s comments about the drafting of the words ““when they see fit”” in Amendment 176 and her asking whether they go much further than ““from time to time””. She is privileged to have behind her today five very clever civil servants; I am sure that they will come up with much better drafting. We may be able to think of some words before Report which could be seen as more proactive than ““from time to time”” or ““when they see fit””, either of which could be seen as kicking reviews into touch. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment 174 withdrawn. Amendments 174A and 175 not moved. Clause 68 agreed. Clause 69 : Community involvement Amendments 175ZA to 176A not moved. Clause 69 agreed.