Clause 91 - Modification of licence conditions for offshore transmission and distribution
Energy Bill [Lords]
3:45 pm
Mr Norman Baker (Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, Environment, Food & Rural Affairs; Lewes, Liberal Democrat)
First, a word for the Minister. He is going to write to me about the negative resolution procedure. I am sure that that will be one of the most riveting letters I have received for some time, and I look forward to receiving it.
I am always struck by the Government's wise choice of words in the framing of legislation. I am struck in particular by the wisdom of that choice in clause 96(7). Referring to the publication of notices, it says that they should be brought
''to the attention of persons likely to be affected''
by them. That seems an entirely sensible procedure, and it is very wise of the Government to have included those words in that clause. Here, we have a similar situation in relation to the modification of licence conditions, but those words do not appear. Indeed, it says only that the publication must be
''in such manner as the Secretary of State—''
or GEMA—
''considers appropriate'',
without using the wise words of qualification used in clause 96(7). I seek, as always, to help the Government by inserting the words that they wisely use elsewhere but, by some curious omission, fail to include here.