Clause 68
Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [Lords]
11:45 am
Stewart Jackson (Shadow Minister, Communities and Local Government; Peterborough, Conservative)
I will be extremely brief because I am speaking only to this particular amendment and will make substantive comments on the clause later during the stand-part debate. We are inclined to support the amendment because generally the powers contained in the clause are too draconian, too sweeping, take insufficient account of the role of local authorities and give way too much power to the Secretary of State. On that basis, “may” instead of “must” is the correct way forward.