Clause 317
Marine and Coastal Access Bill [Lords]
12:00 pm
Huw Irranca-Davies (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Marine and Natural Environment), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Ogmore, Labour)
Only in short, Mr. Gale. The level of engagement and consultation that we have had with the work force and the representative bodies is significant, intensive and ongoing. We have always recognised that in the relocation, there would be those who would choose not to relocate for either family or professional reasons. However, it is wrong for the hon. Member for Newbury wildly to suggest that we are not adequately ensuring that the transfer of ability and knowledge in the process through the MFA and the other organisations that will form part of the MMO is not being properly addressed.
Can I give the hon. Gentleman an assurance that we are on target? Yes, I can. Despite the time scale being one of the toughest and most challenging for the vesting of a new organisation, we are adhering to it. Can I assure him that the existing expertise, not only in terms of marine science, but fisheries, is adequately addressed? Yes, I can. That is not to say that it is not challenging. However, there could not have been a greater level of engagement than we have had and are continuing to have. We recognise that the existing expertise in the MFA will need to be transferred effectively, and that new expertise will need to be brought in. It is important to remember that the MMO is not the MFA; it is not even the MFA-plus or a super MFA. It is a new organisation that builds on the expertise in the MFA, and significantly augments and expands the expertise into a range of areas. Within its new home, the organisation will expand and reach out to all the areas of expertise that we will need, not least in marine science.
I understand that the hon. Gentleman wants to represent the concerns of those who did not want to move, or did not want to move to that location, but I urge him not to undermine what has been a strong, concerted and thorough process to engage with the affected individuals. Those who have chosen not to move have been at the forefront of our concerns to ensure that their careers are looked after and that their expertise is not lost to the wider DEFRA family or elsewhere.