Clause 97 - Prohibited activities in safety zones
Energy Bill [Lords]
3:15 pm
Mrs Anne McIntosh (Shadow Minister, Environment & Transport; Vale of York, Conservative)
On the face of it, the clause gives the Secretary of State considerable power to put in place regulations that would prohibit certain activities. We are told in clause 97(7):
''Regulations under this section may confer discretions, with respect to the granting or imposition in accordance with the regulations of permissions or conditions, on such persons as may be specified or described in the regulations.''
My hon. Friend the Member for South-West Hertfordshire coined the wonderful expression ''uncharted waters''. Clearly, these are wide-ranging powers that the Committee is agreeing to confer on the Secretary of State. What will be the procedure for the adoption of these regulations? Will they be passed by affirmative or negative procedure by a Statutory Instrument Committee in this House or will there be an opportunity for debate in the other place? I do not necessarily say that we disagree with the powers set out in the clause, but I am a little concerned about how wide ranging they are.