I speak to Amendment 177. This is, I hope, just a drafting issue. If not, it might turn out to be a much bigger problem than originally anticipated. The amendment inserts the words ““an automatic”” into Clause 70(7), so that it would read, ““No person has an automatic right to...

I speak to Amendment 177. This is, I hope, just a drafting issue. If not, it might turn out to be a much bigger problem than originally anticipated. The amendment inserts the words ““an automatic”” into Clause 70(7), so that it would read, ““No person has an automatic right to...

Clause 68: Review and revision by responsible regional authorities Amendment 174 174: Clause 68, page 46, line 3, leave out from ““must”” to end of line 4 and insert ““conduct a review of the regional strategy for their region every 5 years””

Clause 68: Review and revision by responsible regional authorities Amendment 174 174: Clause 68, page 46, line 3, leave out from ““must”” to end of line 4 and insert ““conduct a review of the regional strategy for their region every 5 years””

Clause 67: Responsible regional authorities Amendment 172B 172B: Clause 67, page 45, line 39, leave out subsection (2)

Clause 67: Responsible regional authorities Amendment 172B 172B: Clause 67, page 45, line 39, leave out subsection (2)

This amendment, it might be said, is a precautionary amendment. I am concerned about the implications of Clause 67(2), because it might mean more than first meets the eye. Clause 67 describes what is to be classed as the responsible regional authorities; that is, the RDA and the leaders’ board,...

This amendment, it might be said, is a precautionary amendment. I am concerned about the implications of Clause 67(2), because it might mean more than first meets the eye. Clause 67 describes what is to be classed as the responsible regional authorities; that is, the RDA and the leaders’ board,...

Amendment 182 182: After Clause 77, insert the following new Clause— ““Delegation by regional development agencies After section 6A of the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998 (c. 45) (delegation of functions to the Mayor of London and the London Development Agency) insert— ““6B Delegation of functions by regional development agencies...

Amendment 182 182: After Clause 77, insert the following new Clause— ““Delegation by regional development agencies After section 6A of the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998 (c. 45) (delegation of functions to the Mayor of London and the London Development Agency) insert— ““6B Delegation of functions by regional development agencies...

I think I referred to that when I said that his heart warms as I speak. I am not sure that many Liberal Democrats would be able to share that view. However, I have the privilege of being a member of the shadow Cabinet, so I can assure the noble...

I think I referred to that when I said that his heart warms as I speak. I am not sure that many Liberal Democrats would be able to share that view. However, I have the privilege of being a member of the shadow Cabinet, so I can assure the noble...

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...

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...

The noble Baroness, Lady Hamwee, went to the nub of the issue. I am sure that the intention behind these clauses is right; the Minister has again passionately explained it. However, the clauses as they are drafted do not reflect that intention, especially Clause 84 on the constitution and the...

The noble Baroness, Lady Hamwee, went to the nub of the issue. I am sure that the intention behind these clauses is right; the Minister has again passionately explained it. However, the clauses as they are drafted do not reflect that intention, especially Clause 84 on the constitution and the...

Clause 84: Constitution Amendment 184 184: Clause 84, page 52, line 35, leave out ““by order make provision”” and insert ““issue guidance””

Clause 84: Constitution Amendment 184 184: Clause 84, page 52, line 35, leave out ““by order make provision”” and insert ““issue guidance””

I shall speak also to Amendments 185 to 188 inclusive. This group of amendments concerns the constitution of economic prosperity boards. Clauses 84 and 86 as drafted would allow the Secretary of State to impose a managerial structure on to EPBs and influence membership, voting powers and executive arrangements. It...

I shall speak also to Amendments 185 to 188 inclusive. This group of amendments concerns the constitution of economic prosperity boards. Clauses 84 and 86 as drafted would allow the Secretary of State to impose a managerial structure on to EPBs and influence membership, voting powers and executive arrangements. It...

Amendment 182 was inspired by the Local Government Association, whose support and efforts the Government have cited several times throughout this Bill, and so I hope that the Minister can throw her weight behind this new clause, which is also supported by noble Lords on the Liberal Democrat Front Bench....

Amendment 182 was inspired by the Local Government Association, whose support and efforts the Government have cited several times throughout this Bill, and so I hope that the Minister can throw her weight behind this new clause, which is also supported by noble Lords on the Liberal Democrat Front Bench....

Following correspondence with the Minister, I do not intend to move Amendments 178, 179 or 180. These points have been debated in Committee before and I agree with the noble Baroness that there is not much new to add. However, I do not wish this to be taken in any...

Following correspondence with the Minister, I do not intend to move Amendments 178, 179 or 180. These points have been debated in Committee before and I agree with the noble Baroness that there is not much new to add. However, I do not wish this to be taken in any...

I have one amendment in this group. Amendment 181 would simply insert a duty to evaluate from a cost-benefit basis the whole of this part. The plain point behind that is to find out whether this new legislation is worth while. The Government have presented the Bill as a measure...

I have one amendment in this group. Amendment 181 would simply insert a duty to evaluate from a cost-benefit basis the whole of this part. The plain point behind that is to find out whether this new legislation is worth while. The Government have presented the Bill as a measure...

I shall speak also to Amendments 175 and 176. This group of amendments pertains to the review and revision of regional strategy. Two of my amendments, Amendments 174 and 176, are probing in nature. Amendment 175 is a more substantive issue. I agree with the underlying thrust of the clause....

I shall speak also to Amendments 175 and 176. This group of amendments pertains to the review and revision of regional strategy. Two of my amendments, Amendments 174 and 176, are probing in nature. Amendment 175 is a more substantive issue. I agree with the underlying thrust of the clause....

I thank the Minister for her detailed response. It has not been easy for me to follow the arguments, because it is not entirely clear to me whether the Government trust local authorities to take that role forward or whether they still feel that a layer of bureaucracy is required....

I thank the Minister for her detailed response. It has not been easy for me to follow the arguments, because it is not entirely clear to me whether the Government trust local authorities to take that role forward or whether they still feel that a layer of bureaucracy is required....

I shall speak also to Amendments 193A, 194, 194PA, 194VA, 194ZA and 195 and on the Question whether Clauses 83 to 98 and 100 to 115 shall stand part of the Bill. The opposition amendments in this group would do two things. In the main, they would make economic prosperity...

I shall speak also to Amendments 193A, 194, 194PA, 194VA, 194ZA and 195 and on the Question whether Clauses 83 to 98 and 100 to 115 shall stand part of the Bill. The opposition amendments in this group would do two things. In the main, they would make economic prosperity...

Clause 83: EPBs and their areas Amendment 183A 183A: Clause 83, page 52, line 14, leave out ““The Secretary of State may by order”” and insert ““Local authorities may join together to””

Clause 83: EPBs and their areas Amendment 183A 183A: Clause 83, page 52, line 14, leave out ““The Secretary of State may by order”” and insert ““Local authorities may join together to””

I thank the Minister for what can only be described as a valiant and passionate defence of economic prosperity boards. I am sure that it is not due to the Minister's response but down to my understanding that I am left at the end of this debate, 55 minutes into...

I thank the Minister for what can only be described as a valiant and passionate defence of economic prosperity boards. I am sure that it is not due to the Minister's response but down to my understanding that I am left at the end of this debate, 55 minutes into...

Clause 72: Approval of revision by Secretary of State Amendment 178 178: Clause 72, page 48, line 14, leave out paragraph (b) and insert— ““( ) return it, with reasons, to the responsible regional authorities for revision””

Clause 72: Approval of revision by Secretary of State Amendment 178 178: Clause 72, page 48, line 14, leave out paragraph (b) and insert— ““( ) return it, with reasons, to the responsible regional authorities for revision””

I thank the Minister for her response. I am a little disappointed and I still have concerns about how things could fall between the cracks in situations where leaders’ boards are not set up or the capacity does not exist for them to be set up. We shall look at...

I thank the Minister for her response. I am a little disappointed and I still have concerns about how things could fall between the cracks in situations where leaders’ boards are not set up or the capacity does not exist for them to be set up. We shall look at...