Clause 73 - Compulsory acquisition of land for development etc
Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill
9:15 am
Mrs Barbara Roche (Minister of State, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister; Hornsey and Wood Green, Labour)
I had not come across the hon. Gentleman's argument before, and that is not the line that I am taking. I am saying that the drafting is not unusual for such legislation, and does not represent a new-fangled notion or definition. It has been used extensively before, not only by this Government but by previous Governments. That is
relevant, because the definition will have been the subject of other discussions.
I will also deal with what happens when bodies exercise their duties and powers. I contend that it is explicit that in exercising their duties and powers, public authorities are required to act reasonably. Therefore, that element is included. Amendments No. 430 and 432 would replace the word ''think'' with the phrase ''can demonstrate'', but ''think'' implies a belief on the part of the local authority in what it is doing, while ''demonstrate'' does not.