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Draft National Policy Statement for Fossil Fuel Electricity Generating Infrastructure (EN-2)

Yes, my Lords, because it is the Secretary of State himself who set that period. I would be under a great deal of criticism if, because the date that the noble Lord referred to was set, and because of the election period, we actually lost a number of weeks and arrangements were not made to ensure that Parliament was given the appropriate time. As I said, this is a matter for the usual channels. What is clear, as the Leader of the House has already indicated, is that if a Motion or Motions are tabled, she will ensure that time is found. None of us here can say when the time would be found. All I am saying is that if time is not found before we reach the wash-up period, it will be found after the election. I would have thought that that would reassure noble Lords. I find this rather extraordinary. I have come here to make a statement of reassurance to the Committee in the light of points raised. I am extraordinarily surprised to find that I am now being criticised for saying that if there is not time before the election, the debate will take place after the election. If the Committee is criticising that, I am flabbergasted.