Clause 5 - Directions in relation to management scheme
Marine Wildlife Conservation Bill
12:00 pm
Mr Michael Meacher (Minister of State (the Environment), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Oldham West and Royton, Labour)
I appreciate what the hon. Gentleman said about the purpose of the amendment. However, we believe that it is unnecessary because the clause already achieves the outcome he wants. The hon. Gentleman is seeking to ensure that directions by the Secretary of State or the National Assembly for Wales for the establishment of a management scheme for a marine site include, but are not restricted to, the matters listed in subsection (2). By including the phrase ``directions may in particular'', the clause already gives the Secretary of State or the National Assembly for Wales the discretion to issue directions for reasons not included in the list in subsection (2). For the record, that is consistent with regulation 35(2) of the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994, which deals with management schemes for the marine Natura 2000 sites. We want to maintain that consistency. I hope that the hon. Gentleman is satisfied that what he wants has already been achieved, and that he will withdraw the amendment.