Martin
Horwood: New clause 3 relates to impact and risk
assessment. Pages 25 and 26 of the Bill contain two separate clauses
with two logically separate areas of advice: clause 55 deals with
impact and risk assessment and clause 56 is on adaptation under the
Secretary of State’s programme. The technical advice on impact
assessment is contained in clause 34(5), which would be deleted by
amendment No. 12 and is not reinserted by new clause 3 or any other
Government
amendment.
Joan
Ruddock: The hon. Gentleman needs to wait until we move to
the next group of amendments. The role that we are giving to the
Climate Change Committee is clear, from the advice stated in new clause
3, and I can add nothing to what I have said.
On amendment
No. 20, again, the hon. Gentleman is suggesting that a signal could be
given. It is clear to us that saying that one Select Committee should
have the role weakens scrutiny. We have given the scrutiny role to the
Climate Change Committee, which will be advising on the risk
assessment. We are more than aware that the EAC makes its own decisions
and will continue to do so, as will other Select Committees. That is
the proper role of a Select Committee in
Parliament.
Martin
Horwood: I am sorry to press the Minister on this matter,
but we are discussing new clause 3 now, in this group of amendments,
and nowhere does it mention
adaptation.
Joan
Ruddock: The risk assessment is clearly the precursor of
any programme for adaptation. The Climate Change Committee is being
given this duty to advise on the risk assessments that the Government
are
preparing.
Martin
Horwood: I am sorry to press the Minister further, but
why, in that case, do we have separate clauses: one for impact and risk
assessment and another—clause 56—for adaptation? They are
not the
same.
Joan
Ruddock: I am looking to see whether I may receive some
advice on this matter. Our amendments, including our new clause, are
clear to me. Clause 55 is in part 4, which is called “Impact of
and adaptation to climate
change”. It
being twenty-five minutes past Ten o’clock, The
Chairman adjourned the Committee without Question
put, pursuant to the Standing
Order. Adjourned
till this day at One
o’clock.
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