Business of the House

Debate between John Milne and Lucy Powell

Thursday 31st October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Powell]

I also pay tribute to those boys, who rushed towards danger, rather than turning away from the moment they faced. My hon. Friend raises an important point about first aid training and the now extensive use of defibrillators, which really are lifesaving.

[John Milne (Horsham) (LD)]

I draw the House’s attention to the neglected issue of water neutrality, which is often confused with nutrient neutrality, but which requires different solutions. For the last two years, the local planning authority in my constituency has faced the impossible task of obeying two entirely contradictory laws. One says that we have to build more than 900 houses a year, and the other says that we cannot build anything because of water neutrality considerations. The bizarre legal stand-off causes enormous difficulties. Will the Leader of the House find time to debate the issue of water neutrality, so that we can find a fair and rational solution for my community?

[Lucy Powell]

The hon. Member raises an important point, and I am sure that the House will debate these issues in the coming weeks. We are considering such matters in our forthcoming planning and infrastructure Bill, and as he knows, there are forthcoming pieces of water regulation, and he may want to raise that point during debate on those.