Clause 21
Local Transport Bill [ Lords ]
5:00 pm
Stephen Hammond (Shadow Minister, Transport; Wimbledon, Conservative)
The good news is that although there are 13 amendments in the group, 12 are consequential, so I shall not delay the Committee for long. Today and previously, we have had extensive discussions about the approvals board. I expected much discussion to take place when we debated clauses 21 and 22, but a lot of it happened this morning.
If the Minister regards the board as so important, why does it apply to England only? Why will quality contracts in England be passed on to an approvals board when those in Wales will be examined by Welsh Ministers? Is it entirely because of the status of devolved legislation, or is there some other explanation? The Minister and the Government have reassured us that the process of appeal through an approvals board will limit judicial review, so it has the chance to become an effective and independent body. It will be well suited to decide the suitability of quality contracts, and I am not sure that the Committee would wish to deny such a body to Wales, unless there was good reason to do so.