I am disappointed that the noble Lord is dissatisfied with my answer. I think the best I am able to do this afternoon is to promise that we shall keep this matter carefully under review. However, I am sure that my noble friend will look forward to the opportunity to...

I am disappointed that the noble Lord is dissatisfied with my answer. I think the best I am able to do this afternoon is to promise that we shall keep this matter carefully under review. However, I am sure that my noble friend will look forward to the opportunity to...

I, too, thank the Minister for outlining this policy statement. He will be pleased to hear that I am not going to follow the noble Earl down the road of playing politics and doing away with the IPC. This House has already spent many days discussing both the IPC and...

I, too, thank the Minister for outlining this policy statement. He will be pleased to hear that I am not going to follow the noble Earl down the road of playing politics and doing away with the IPC. This House has already spent many days discussing both the IPC and...

Perhaps I may intervene. One thing that in my opinion was very unsatisfactory in the Minister’s answer was what he said about NATA. It is obvious that the specialists in the department and the large number of people who work for consultants who have done the refresh would argue for...

Perhaps I may intervene. One thing that in my opinion was very unsatisfactory in the Minister’s answer was what he said about NATA. It is obvious that the specialists in the department and the large number of people who work for consultants who have done the refresh would argue for...

The Minister mentioned that the noble Lord, Lord Berkeley, is not here. However, I know that one thing he would have said about gauge clearance—although I do not know whether the Minister can influence Network Rail—is that Network Rail has not produced a statement of the capability of the infrastructure....

The Minister mentioned that the noble Lord, Lord Berkeley, is not here. However, I know that one thing he would have said about gauge clearance—although I do not know whether the Minister can influence Network Rail—is that Network Rail has not produced a statement of the capability of the infrastructure....

Like the two noble Lords who have spoken, I do not quarrel with the idea of having a national policy statement on ports. In so far as it is necessary, I believe that capacity should be provided. But I quarrel straightaway with what the Minister said about the need to...

Like the two noble Lords who have spoken, I do not quarrel with the idea of having a national policy statement on ports. In so far as it is necessary, I believe that capacity should be provided. But I quarrel straightaway with what the Minister said about the need to...

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for introducing this matter with his usual clarity and care, although I think that my grandfather Lord Attlee would have been shocked by the Minister’s sensible reliance on the market. I agree that there are problems with our planning process and that...

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for introducing this matter with his usual clarity and care, although I think that my grandfather Lord Attlee would have been shocked by the Minister’s sensible reliance on the market. I agree that there are problems with our planning process and that...

That the Grand Committee do report to the House that it has considered the Draft National Policy Statement for Ports. That the Grand Committee do report to the House that it has considered the Draft National Policy Statement for Ports.

That the Grand Committee do report to the House that it has considered the Draft National Policy Statement for Ports. That the Grand Committee do report to the House that it has considered the Draft National Policy Statement for Ports.

I can certainly give the noble Earl an example and that is the switch in emphasis which, to my great delight, my noble friend has made in relation to the role of rail and coastal shipping. That is an area where a policy decision has been taken by the Secretary...

I can certainly give the noble Earl an example and that is the switch in emphasis which, to my great delight, my noble friend has made in relation to the role of rail and coastal shipping. That is an area where a policy decision has been taken by the Secretary...

The Minister has been extremely helpful to the Committee and has advanced our knowledge of the subject. However, I am still concerned about my assertion that the NPS is just a list of factors to be taken into consideration. Perhaps the Minister could help the Committee by giving one example...

The Minister has been extremely helpful to the Committee and has advanced our knowledge of the subject. However, I am still concerned about my assertion that the NPS is just a list of factors to be taken into consideration. Perhaps the Minister could help the Committee by giving one example...

Lords debate on motion to consider the Draft National Policy Statement for Ports. Agreed to on question.

Lords debate on motion to consider the Draft National Policy Statement for Ports. Agreed to on question.

My Lords, the Committee will be relieved to know that I do not intend to speak for three hours and 19 minutes to use up the four hours that have been allocated for this debate. We have heard views reflecting a number of interests. I was delighted that all three...

My Lords, the Committee will be relieved to know that I do not intend to speak for three hours and 19 minutes to use up the four hours that have been allocated for this debate. We have heard views reflecting a number of interests. I was delighted that all three...

My Lords, I am very pleased that we have the opportunity today to debate the Government’s proposed national policy statement for ports. Last Tuesday, your Lordships held the first of three debates on the suite of energy national policy statements. We heard some interesting points on that occasion, some of...

My Lords, I am very pleased that we have the opportunity today to debate the Government’s proposed national policy statement for ports. Last Tuesday, your Lordships held the first of three debates on the suite of energy national policy statements. We heard some interesting points on that occasion, some of...

I thank the noble Lord. The best I can do is to ensure that his comments are drawn to the attention of Network Rail and I am sure that it will get in touch with him with a response. I have heard the noble Lord make these points before, but...

I thank the noble Lord. The best I can do is to ensure that his comments are drawn to the attention of Network Rail and I am sure that it will get in touch with him with a response. I have heard the noble Lord make these points before, but...