Lord Anderson of Ipswich:

Moved by Lord Anderson of Ipswich

27: Clause 38, page 23, line 8, leave out subsection (8) and insert—“(8) Where the court makes a statement of non-compliance it may grant any remedy that may be granted by it on a judicial review other than damages.(8A) In determining whether it would be in the interests of justice to grant a remedy, the court must have regard to—(a) the nature and consequences of the authority’s failure to comply with environmental law, and(b) the likelihood that the grant of a remedy would cause—(i) substantial hardship to, or substantial prejudice to the rights of, any person other than the authority, or(ii) any detriment to good administration.”Member’s explanatory statementThis amendment removes the restrictions on the discretion of a court to grant a remedy where the court has found there to be a breach of environmental law, while requiring the court to have regard to relevant factors. The bar on awarding damages to the OEP is retained.

On this amendment, I wish to test the opinion of the House.

Ayes 153, Noes 143.

Amendment 27 agreed.

Clause 39: Judicial review: powers to apply in urgent cases and to intervene

Amendment 28 not moved.

Clause 44: Meaning of “natural environment”

Amendment 29 not moved.

Schedule 3: The Office for Environmental Protection: Northern Ireland