Clause 1 - Regional Spatial Strategy
Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill
11:15 am
Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold, Conservative)
I beg to move amendment No. 47, in
clause 1, page 1, line 7, leave out 'however expressed'.
This is a small, technical amendment. It is fairly simple and was drafted ingeniously by my hon. Friend the Member for Spelthorne. I refer the Committee to the Bill, because they will see that the words are completely otiose. Clause 1(2) states:
''The RSS must set out the Secretary of State's policies (however expressed) in relation to the development and use of land within the region.''
I cannot see what on earth the words ''however expressed'' mean or what they achieve. It is overly fussy drafting to insert those words. We are in the business of producing clear, simple legislation. It was George Bernard Shaw who said, ''Genius is simplicity''. That phrase should be written on every draftsman's door in large letters. If it were, shorter and simpler Bills would be produced, and we would not need to spend so much time in Committee. We would be all better off, especially those who had to interpret Bills.
It being twenty-five minutes past Eleven o'clock, The Chairman adjourned the Committee without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.
Adjourned accordingly till this day at half-past Two o'clock.