Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede & Weybridge, Conservative)

Why is the clause necessary? Why is it necessary to exclude the poor Isles of Scilly and to define them as not being a relevant local authority? Furthermore, why is it necessary to give the Secretary of State power to reverse the provision? It seems to be a most odd arrangement, and I look forward to the Minister's clarification.

Mr Matthew Green (Ludlow, Liberal Democrat)

I believe that the clause is in the Bill because of the so-called Scilly clause about the Isles of Scilly belonging to the United Kingdom, although I am sure that the Minister will elucidate on that. I am more interested about the results. The clause gives the Secretary of State the power by regulation to make virtually any provision that he chooses. As this will not go before the Electoral Commission, does he think that the Isles of Scilly should be involved in regional government? If so, does he really think that the Isles of Scilly should be included in a region that stretches as far as the north-east corner of Gloucestershire?

Mr John Butterfill (Bournemouth West, Conservative)

Order. I have several powers, but being psychic is not one. It would be more helpful if the Under-Secretary indicated more clearly whether he wishes to be called.

Mr Christopher Leslie (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office; Shipley, Labour)

I entirely accept your guidance, Mr. Butterfill. I shall ensure that I rise from my place noticeably.

Mr Adrian Flook (Taunton, Conservative)

Put your hand up.

Mr Christopher Leslie (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office; Shipley, Labour)

I shall not put my hand up, because that would not be in order.

The Isles of Scilly should certainly be involved in regional government—as should any part of our great nation—in respect of their role and relationship with England and the south-west. It is reasonable for that participation to take place. The Isles of Scilly will not be subject to a local government review because they already have unitary local government. Local government in the Isles of Scilly differs from that elsewhere in England because the council for the Isles of Scilly is neither a county nor a district council. Several special provisions have been made to allow the council to exercise and perform specified local government functions. However, certain local government functions are performed on behalf of the Isles of Scilly by Cornwall county council. Clause 18 ensures that if a future local government review made structural changes in Cornwall, we would be able to provide, by order, for such functions to be performed by one or more of the successor authorities. That is why the provisions exist in the Bill in their current form.

Mr Matthew Green (Ludlow, Liberal Democrat)

The Under-Secretary has not touched on what I asked him. I shall put it in straighter terms: will he explain what the Isles of Scilly have in common with the north-east corner of Gloucestershire?

Mr Christopher Leslie (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office; Shipley, Labour)

The Isles of Scilly are part of England and part of the south-west region. The fact that that part of England is made up of islands rather than being on the mainland is incidental to its inclusion in, participation with and relationship with a region or England. The people of the Isles of Scilly feel a strong affinity with Cornwall and the south-west and it is reasonable for them to have at least the opportunity to participate in the referendum arrangements that we are putting in place.

Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon, Conservative)

If the Under-Secretary were planning a tourist visit to the west country, would he try to fit in a visit to Stonehenge and the Isles of Scilly on the same day? They are both in the same region that he has designated.

Mr Christopher Leslie (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office; Shipley, Labour)

Transport infrastructure provisions set out by the previous Administration still plague the south-west and I am not sure whether it would be possible to make that journey comfortably in a single day, although I do not necessarily say that it would be impossible. If time allows in the future, I might well make such a journey.

Mr Matthew Green (Ludlow, Liberal Democrat)

Presumably, we want regional government to bring government closer to the people. I realise that Bristol is a little closer to the Isles of Scilly than London, but it is still not very accessible to people on the Isles of Scilly in terms of making government more accountable and closer to people. Will the Under-Secretary elucidate on the accessibility of regional government to people on the Isles of Scilly?

Mr Christopher Leslie (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office; Shipley, Labour)

However much I might seek to legislate, I cannot bring the Isles of Scilly any closer to Cornwall. That would be a very difficult test. To pursue that analogy, one might suggest that just because the Outer Hebrides were not a part of mainland Scotland, they were not Scottish. That

would be rather an odd way to make an argument about the Isles of Scilly. Given the Scilly arrangement that the hon. Gentleman has mentioned, I commend the clause.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause 18 ordered to stand part of the Bill.