Localism Bill

Debate between Baroness Anelay of St Johns and Lord Greaves

Tuesday 19th July 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Greaves]

My Lords, I have a few brief points. I agree with the point made by the noble Lord, Lord Lucas, in the debate. Other parts of this Bill and other legislation are probably going to lead to an impetus in some areas for the creation of new parish councils. But it is true to say that over three-quarters of the population of England do not live in a parished area, so there is a serious problem of the democratic deficit here.

I am extremely grateful to my noble friend the Minister for her detailed answers to questions I and other Members put to her, but this issue is so complex that I shall have to take her responses away and read them. We will do that, and perhaps we will have the whole summer for it. However, I am not sure that the Government have yet really got a grip on the question of the democratic credibility and legitimacy of neighbourhood forums. The amendments I put down to take away the limit of 21 were not because I want to go back to three, but because I think that 21 is far too small.

[Baroness Anelay of St Johns]

My Lords, I hesitate to interrupt my noble friend because I know that he has great experience of these matters. However, we are trying to make progress. I know that there are things that he might wish to pursue later, but the Minister has just given an extremely lengthy response which all colleagues will want to read. Perhaps I may suggest that we move on at this point and that these matters can be considered at a later stage. My noble friend may have further questions for the Minister on another occasion. I know that we are in Committee and not on Report, but I know also that the mood of the House is to move on.

[Lord Greaves]

The Chief Whip is absolutely right. We will have discussions later.

[Lord McKenzie of Luton]

Perhaps I may say that the mood of the House on this side is not to delay the Bill but to make sure that we do have proper scrutiny of what is a very long and complex Bill. The noble Lord, Lord Greaves, will answer for himself, but I think he has been done an injustice.

Rural Communities

Debate between Baroness Anelay of St Johns and Lord Greaves

Thursday 15th July 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord Greaves]

My Lords, I have time to make only two brief comments in response to the debate. First, I thank everyone who has taken part—particularly noble Lords who put quite a lot of flesh on the bones of what I initially set out to be a very broad and general introduction to the subject, rather than an attempt to cover everything. I am extremely grateful for the very high quality of the speeches of all those who took part, including the noble Lord, Lord Inglewood, who jumped rather rashly into the gap but seems to have survived. I thank everyone and hope that the record of this debate will be something that people, including the Government, can use in going forward with rural policy.

I particularly thank the Minister for his very comprehensive reply. I always thought that the little red book that he had in his pocket was the Companion. It turns out to be the Thoughts of Chairman Mao, so perhaps I shall become more adjusted to calling him my noble friend after all.

The other point that I want to make concerns advocacy.

[Baroness Anelay of St Johns]

I am sorry to interrupt my noble friend but the Deputy Speaker must put the Motion at 4.35 pm.

[Lord Greaves]

I have mentioned advocacy, so it is on the record as something that I shall want to take up in the future. I now only have time to beg leave to withdraw the Motion for Papers.

Academies Bill [HL]

Debate between Baroness Anelay of St Johns and Lord Greaves

Wednesday 7th July 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord Greaves]

The amendment—

[Baroness Anelay of St Johns]

My Lords, procedure on Report does not permit such matters. Only questions for elucidation are permitted after the Minister has sat down.