Clause 1 - Regional Spatial Strategy
Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill
9:30 am
Mr Matthew Green (Ludlow, Liberal Democrat)
I apologise in advance, Mr. Amess, for the colour of my shirt, and apologise particularly to Government Members, who will have to look at it.
I will speak about new clause 2, which is virtually identical to amendment No. 71, so they have been grouped together. I will not go on at quite such length about the purposes of the new clause; I concur with much of what the hon. Member for Cotswold said.
I understand that we have to comply with the European directive on strategic environmental assessment by July 2004. This would seem to be a convenient point at which to include that in the Bill. I understand that the directive will require all decision making by the Government and public authorities to be subject to strategic environmental assessment, which will entail consideration of the wider context for decisions, strategies, plans and policies. In those circumstances, will the Minister explain how, if the Government will not accept the amendments or something similar, they will be able to comply with the directive? While we are considering the Bill, it would make sense to ensure compliance. I shall not detain the Committee for longer on this matter, and I would welcome the Minister's reply.