Clause 54 - Wales Spatial Plan
Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill
4:15 pm
Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold, Conservative)
My hon. Friend makes the point cogently and more cogently than I was making it. It is very odd that the Government are reserving the nuclear powers of recognition and revocation of recognition of the RPB in England but not in Wales. The Government cannot have it both ways. If they believe in devolution for Wales, why do they not believe in devolution for England? Why have the nuclear powers been reserved for the Secretary of State? It is obvious that the Government do not trust the regional assemblies. We do not want regional assemblies for England, but if the Government are
going to give us those assemblies, why have they reserved the nuclear powers for the Secretary of State? Why not let the regions get on and deal with the matter, particularly as they are elected? If we are ever unfortunate enough to get to that stage, they will have democratic legitimacy. Why reserve the nuclear powers?