Debates between Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park and Lord Kerslake during the 2019-2024 Parliament

Mon 12th Jul 2021

Environment Bill

Debate between Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park and Lord Kerslake
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park Portrait Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Con)
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I am very happy to meet and will be in touch.

Lord Kerslake Portrait Lord Kerslake (CB) [V]
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My Lords, I first thank the noble Viscount, Lord Trenchard, and the noble Baronesses, Lady Neville-Rolfe, Lady Bakewell and Lady Jones of Whitchurch, for their comments. I also welcome the Minister’s response on the consultation. I am concerned about the need to get the practicalities right and, in particular, to have a workable model. That will require the extensive involvement of local government before it is finalised.

On exemptions, I still feel that the Bill is too narrowly drawn to cover eventualities when local authorities will need to move quickly. I wonder if that can be entirely covered by the Bill, in any event. I recognise the risks that local authorities will abuse such a power but, nevertheless, we have not quite got it right yet. Recognising the hour, though, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.