Clause 31 - Water resources management schemes:
Water Bill [Lords]
Public Bill Committees, 18 September 2003, 4:45 pm
Mr Norman Baker (Lewes, Liberal Democrat)
The clause concerns referrals to the Secretary of State, and one of the triggers is when arrangements appear to the Environment Agency to be reasonable. I am trying to apply a harder test on the agency so that it does not have to determine whether something is reasonable before it is referred, but whether it is reasonable in general. That might mean the same thing, but in terms of subsequent appeals and the way in which it is considered by the Secretary of State, it would be better if it were considered neutrally, rather than in the agency's opinion, which might be at gross variance with that of the other party. I do not insist on the amendment, but that is my reason for having tabled it.