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Mr. Letwin rose—

Jim Knight: I fear that I may run out of time, but I will give way if I can. Benefit will come, for example, as the environment adapts to climate change. I will give way to my Dorset neighbour.

Mr. Letwin: I am immensely grateful to the Minister. Briefly, will he place a note in the Library to correct paragraph 11 on page 5 of the Government's response to the Select Committee report, which states that the efficiencies will be £11.3 million by 2007–08?

Jim Knight: I will certainly look further into that and publish any correction, if necessary, in the Library.

Rural business will benefit from simplified structures and less bureaucracy, as it has to spend less time filling in forms. The rural development agencies, with their new responsibilities for business advice, will also be a better and faster source of such advice. I will work closely with the chairs to improve consistency of performance across all the RDAs and achieve devolution to local authorities through local area agreements and pathfinders, as appropriate. For the taxpayer, there will be fewer bodies and less duplication, together with more efficient administration and devolved decision making, which will save money while improving services.

The Bill will provide a flexible delivery framework that is both fit for purpose today and able to evolve to meet further future challenges—

Bob Russell: Including those involving wild flowers.

Jim Knight: Yes, including challenges relating to wild flowers, about which the hon. Member for Colchester (Bob Russell) is so concerned.
 
6 Jun 2005 : Column 1092
 

The Bill will provide a strong voice for rural communities, a fresh and integrated approach to managing the natural environment and, last but not least, best value for money for the taxpayer. On that basis, I ask the House to reject the Opposition amendment and to support the Bill tonight.

Question put, That the amendment be made:—

The House divided: Ayes 179, Noes 349.

Division No. 5 [9.59 pm


AYES

Ainsworth, Peter
Amess, David
Ancram, rh Michael
Arbuthnot, rh James
Atkinson, Peter
Bacon, Richard
Baldry, Tony
Baron, John
Bellingham, Henry
Benyon, Richard
Bercow, John
Beresford, Sir Paul
Binley, Brian
Blunt, Crispin
Bone, Peter
Boswell, Tim
Brady, Graham
Brazier, Julian
Brokenshire, James
Browning, Mrs. Angela
Burns, Simon
Burrowes, David
Burt, Alistair
Butterfill, Sir John
Cameron, David
Campbell, Gregory
Carswell, Douglas
Cash, William
Chope, Christopher
Clappison, James
Clark, Greg
Clarke, rh Kenneth
Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey
Conway, Derek
Cox, Geoffrey
Crabb, Stephen
Curry, rh David
Davies, Quentin
Davies, Philip
Davis, rh David (Haltemprice and Howden)
Djanogly, Jonathan
Dorries, Mrs. Nadine
Duddridge, James
Duncan, Alan
Duncan Smith, rh Iain
Dunne, Philip
Ellwood, Tobias
Evans, Nigel
Fallon, Michael
Field, Mark
Fox, Dr. Liam
Francois, Mark
Fraser, Christopher
Gale, Roger
Garnier, Edward
Gauke, David
Gibb, Nick
Goodman, Paul
Goodwill, Robert
Gove, Michael
Gray, James
Grayling, Chris
Green, Damian
Greening, Justine
Greenway, John
Grieve, Dominic
Gummer, rh John
Hague, rh William
Hammond, Philip
Hammond, Stephen
Hands, Greg
Harper, Mark
Hayes, John
Heald, Oliver
Heathcoat-Amory, rh David
Hendry, Charles
Herbert, Nick
Hoban, Mark
Hogg, rh Douglas
Hollobone, Philip
Holloway, Adam
Horam, John
Howard, rh Michael
Howarth, Gerald
Hunt, Jeremy
Hurd, Nick
Jack, rh Michael
Jackson, Stewart
Jenkin, Bernard
Johnson, Boris
Jones, David
Kawczynski, Daniel
Key, Robert
Kirkbride, Julie
Knight, rh Greg
Lait, Mrs. Jacqui
Lancaster, Mark
Lansley, Andrew
Leigh, Edward
Letwin, rh Oliver
Lewis, Dr. Julian
Liddell-Grainger, Ian
Loughton, Tim
Luff, Peter
Mackay, rh Andrew
Maclean, rh David
Main, Anne
Malins, Humfrey
Maples, John
Mates, rh Michael
May, rh Mrs. Theresa
McCrea, Rev. William
McIntosh, Miss Anne
McLoughlin, Patrick
Mercer, Patrick
Miller, Maria
Milton, Anne
Moss, Malcolm
Murrison, Dr. Andrew
Newmark, Brooks
O'Brien, Stephen
Osborne, George
Ottaway, Richard
Paice, James
Paisley, Rev. Ian
Paterson, Owen
Pelling, Andrew
Penning, Mike
Penrose, John
Pickles, Eric
Pritchard, Mark
Randall, John
Redwood, rh John
Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm
Robathan, Andrew
Rosindell, Andrew
Ruffley, David
Scott, Lee
Selous, Andrew
Shapps, Grant
Shepherd, Richard
Simmonds, Mark
Simpson, Keith
Soames, Nicholas
Spelman, Mrs. Caroline
Spicer, Sir Michael
Spink, Bob
Spring, Richard
Stanley, rh Sir John
Steen, Anthony
Streeter, Gary
Stuart, Graham
Swayne, Desmond
Syms, Robert
Tapsell, Sir Peter
Taylor, Ian
Tredinnick, David
Turner, Andrew
Tyrie, Andrew
Vaizey, Edward
Vara, Shailesh
Viggers, Peter
Villiers, Mrs. Theresa
Walker, Charles
Wallace, Ben
Walter, Robert
Waterson, Nigel
Watkinson, Angela
Whittingdale, John
Widdecombe, rh Miss Ann
Wiggin, Bill
Willetts, David
Wilson, Sammy
Wilson, Rob
Winterton, Ann
Winterton, Sir Nicholas
Wright, Jeremy
Yeo, Tim
Young, rh George

Tellers for the Ayes:

Michael Fabricant and
Mr. Mark Prisk


NOES

Ainger, Nick
Ainsworth, rh Bob
Alexander, Danny
Alexander, rh Douglas
Allen, Graham
Anderson, David
Armstrong, rh Hilary
Atkins, Charlotte
Austin, Ian
Austin, John
Bailey, Adrian
Baird, Vera
Baker, Norman
Balls, Ed
Banks, Gordon
Barlow, Ms Celia
Barrett, John
Barron, rh Kevin
Battle, rh John
Bayley, Hugh
Begg, Miss Anne
Beith, rh Alan
Benn, rh Hilary
Benton, Joe
Berry, Roger
Betts, Clive
Blackman, Liz
Blackman-Woods, Dr. Roberta
Blears, rh Hazel
Blizzard, Bob
Borrow, David
Breed, Colin
Brennan, Kevin
Brooke, Annette
Brown, Russell
Brown, Lyn
Browne, rh Des
Bruce, Malcolm
Bryant, Chris
Buck, Ms Karen
Burden, Richard
Burnham, Andy
Burstow, Paul
Burt, Lorely
Butler, Ms Dawn
Byers, rh Stephen
Byrne, Liam
Caborn, rh Richard
Cairns, David
Campbell, Ronnie
Campbell, rh Sir Menzies
Campbell, Alan
Carmichael, Alistair
Caton, Martin
Cawsey, Ian
Challen, Colin
Chapman, Ben
Chaytor, David
Clapham, Michael
Clark, Paul
Clark, Katy
Clarke, rh Tom
Clarke, rh Charles
Clegg, Nick
Clelland, David
Clwyd, rh Ann
Coaker, Vernon
Coffey, Ms Ann
Cohen, Harry
Connarty, Michael
Cook, rh Robin
Cook, Frank
Cooper, Rosie
Corbyn, Jeremy
Cousins, Jim
Crausby, David
Creagh, Mary
Cruddas, Jon
Cryer, Ann
Cummings, John
Cunningham, Jim
Cunningham, Tony
Curtis-Thomas, Claire
Darling, rh Alistair
David, Wayne
Davidson, Ian
Dean, Mrs. Janet
Dhanda, Parmjit
Dismore, Andrew
Dobbin, Jim
Dobson, rh Frank
Doran, Frank
Dowd, Jim
Drew, David
Dunwoody, Mrs. Gwyneth
Eagle, Maria
Eagle, Angela
Efford, Clive
Ellman, Mrs. Louise
Ennis, Jeff
Etherington, Bill
Farrelly, Paul
Farron, Tim
Field, rh Frank
Fitzpatrick, Jim
Flello, Robert
Flint, Caroline
Flynn, Paul
Follett, Barbara
Foster, Michael Jabez      (Hastings)
Foster, Michael (Worcester)
Francis, Dr. Hywel
Gapes, Mike
Gardiner, Barry
George, Andrew
George, rh Bruce
Gerrard, Neil
Gibson, Dr. Ian
Gilroy, Linda
Godsiff, Roger
Goggins, Paul
Goodman, Helen
Griffith, Nia
Griffiths, Nigel
Grogan, John
Gwynne, Andrew
Hall, Patrick
Hall, Mike
Hamilton, Fabian
Hancock, Mike
Harman, rh Ms Harriet
Harris, Tom
Harvey, Nick
Havard, Dai
Healey, John
Heath, David
Henderson, Doug
Hendrick, Mark
Hepburn, Stephen
Heppell, John
Hesford, Stephen
Hewitt, rh Ms Patricia
Heyes, David
Hill, rh Keith
Hillier, Meg
Hodge, rh Margaret
Hodgson, Mrs. Sharon
Hoey, Kate
Holmes, Paul
Hood, Jimmy
Hoon, rh Geoffrey
Hope, Phil
Hopkins, Kelvin
Horwood, Martin
Hosie, Stewart
Howarth, David
Howarth, George
Hoyle, Lindsay
Hughes, Simon
Hughes, rh Beverley
Humble, Mrs. Joan
Hutton, rh John
Iddon, Dr. Brian
Illsley, Eric
Ingram, rh Adam
Irranca-Davies, Huw
Jackson, Glenda
James, Mrs. Sîan
Jenkins, Brian
Johnson, Ms Diana
Johnson, rh Alan
Jones, Dr. Lynne
Jones, Martyn
Jones, Kevan
Jones, Helen
Joyce, Eric
Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald
Keeble, Ms Sally
Keeley, Ms Barbara
Keen, Ann
Keen, Alan
Kemp, Fraser
Kennedy, rh Jane
Khabra, Piara
Khan, Sadiq
Kidney, David
Kilfoyle, Peter
Knight, Jim
Kumar, Dr. Ashok
Lamb, Norman
Lammy, David
Laws, David
Laxton, Bob
Lazarowicz, Mark
Leech, John
Lepper, David
Levitt, Tom
Lewis, Ivan
Linton, Martin
Lloyd, Tony
Love, Andrew
Lucas, Ian
MacDougall, John
Mackinlay, Andrew
MacNeil, Angus
MacShane, Dr. Denis
Mactaggart, Fiona
Mahmood, Khalid
Malik, Shahid
Mallaber, Judy
Mann, John
Marris, Rob
Marsden, Gordon
Marshall, David
Marshall-Andrews, Robert
Martlew, Eric
McAvoy, rh Thomas
McCabe, Steve
McCarthy, Ms Kerry
McCarthy-Fry, Sarah
McDonagh, Siobhain
McDonnell, John
McFadden, Pat
McFall, rh John
McGovern, Jim
McGuire, Mrs. Anne
McIsaac, Shona
McKechin, Ann
McKenna, Rosemary
McNulty, Tony
Meacher, rh Michael
Michael, rh Alun
Miliband, Edward
Miliband, rh David
Miller, Andrew
Mitchell, Austin
Moffat, Anne
Moffatt, Laura
Mole, Chris
Moon, Mrs Madeleine
Moore, Michael
Moran, Margaret
Morden, Jessica
Morgan, Julie
Morley, Elliot
Mountford, Kali
Mudie, George
Mullin, Chris
Munn, Meg
Murphy, Jim
Murphy, rh Paul
Murphy, Denis
Naysmith, Dr. Doug
Norris, Dan
O'Hara, Edward
Olner, Bill
Osborne, Sandra
Owen, Albert
Palmer, Dr. Nick
Pope, Greg
Pound, Stephen
Prentice, Ms Bridget
Prentice, Gordon
Prescott, rh John
Price, Adam
Primarolo, rh Dawn
Prosser, Gwyn
Pugh, Dr. John
Purchase, Ken
Purnell, James
Rammell, Bill
Raynsford, rh Nick
Reed, Andy
Reid, rh John
Riordan, Mrs. Linda
Robertson, John
Robertson, Angus
Rogerson, Dan
Rooney, Terry
Rowen, Paul
Roy, Frank
Ruane, Chris
Ruddock, Joan
Russell, Ms Christine
Russell, Bob
Ryan, Joan
Sanders, Adrian
Seabeck, Alison
Shaw, Jonathan
Sheerman, Barry
Sheridan, Jim
Short, rh Clare
Simon, Siôn
Simpson, Alan
Singh, Marsha
Skinner, Dennis
Slaughter, Andrew
Smith, Geraldine
Smith, rh Andrew
Smith, rh Jacqui
Smith, Ms Angela, (Sheffield, Hillsborough)
Smith, John
Snelgrove, Anne
Soulsby, Sir Peter
Southworth, Helen
Spellar, rh John
Starkey, Dr. Phyllis
Stewart, Ian
Stoate, Dr. Howard
Stuart, Ms Gisela
Stunell, Andrew
Sutcliffe, Gerry
Swinson, Jo
Tami, Mark
Taylor, David
Taylor, Dari
Taylor, Dr. Richard
Teather, Sarah
Thornberry, Ms Emily
Timms, Stephen
Tipping, Paddy
Todd, Mark
Touhig, Don
Trickett, Jon
Turner, Dr. Desmond
Turner, Neil
Vaz, Keith
Vis, Dr. Rudi
Walley, Joan
Waltho, Lynda
Wareing, Robert N.
Watson, Tom
Webb, Steve
Whitehead, Dr. Alan
Wicks, Malcolm
Williams, Roger
Williams, Stephen
Williams, Mark
Williams, Betty
Williams, rh Alan
Wills, Michael
Winnick, David
Winterton, Ms Rosie
Wishart, Pete
Wood, Mike
Woolas, Phil
Wright, Anthony
Wright, Iain
Wyatt, Derek

Tellers for the Noes:

Gillian Merron and
Mr. Dave Watts


Question accordingly negatived.

 
6 Jun 2005 : Column 1095
 

Main Question put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 62 (Amendment on Second or Third Reading), and agreed to.

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