Clause 6
Local Democracy, Economic Developmentand Construction Bill [Lords]
5:00 pm
Paul Goodman (Shadow Minister, Communities and Local Government; Wycombe, Conservative)
A moment ago, Mr. Amess, you may have heard one of the Ministers on the Front Bench mutter, “Are they going to vote against every clause of the Bill?” [Interruption.] The answer, of course, is, “Wait and see.” However, this is one of the more innocuous clauses, or would be were it not for the words
“the discharge of their duties under this Chapter”,
so many of which we think unnecessary for the reasons we have advanced. However, we are inclined to let it go.
Perhaps more constructively, from the Minister’s point of view I do not think that there can be any reason in principle to oppose issuing guidance on promoting understanding, although some people might argue that it is somewhat heavy-handed. I would be grateful if she said a few more words about what the consultation under the clause will consist of and when she expects guidance to be issued.
I know that we have had a letter on that point from the right hon. Member for Wentworth (John Healey), who is now Minister for Housing, but frankly, it came rather late. A brief exposition from the Minister on the subject of guidance would be helpful for those following the proceedings of this wretched Bill.