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Responding on the more general principle, the noble Baroness is right to say that with this Bill, the Energy Act, the Planning Act and the Climate Change Act, it is a challenge to find one’s way through and to understand how they fit coherently together. However, the Government have deliberately brought these pieces of legislation through Parliament in close proximity. We see them as being consistent. I know that we have had a lively debate about the interrelationship between the NPS and the MPS and that that raises some difficult issues for noble Lords. None the less, the intent is clear—that these pieces of legislation act consistently together, albeit that the decisions that will have to be made will be tough at times and challenging. There will be tensions between the desirable aims of each piece of legislation.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: I thank the noble Lord for that response. I cannot agree that including “local” and “global” limits the definition of the environment. Indeed it makes it clear that the environment is not just something that happens in your own backyard but is the interaction between everyone’s environments throughout the world. It is a global issue. The issues of

23 Feb 2009 : Column 96

climate change and security of energy supplies, which have very much exercised the Government—the Minister among them—are key. The Government have made a strategic error in not seeking to insert cross references and make them part and parcel of a single project to tackle these great issues of our time. I am disappointed with what the Minister has had to say. I beg leave to test the opinion of the Committee.

9.37 pm

Division on Amendment 101A

Contents 16; Not-Contents 42.

Amendment 101A disagreed.

Division No. 1

CONTENTS
Alton of Liverpool, L.
Anelay of St Johns, B. [Teller]
Bates, L.
Byford, B.
Cathcart, E. [Teller]
Cope of Berkeley, L.
Forsyth of Drumlean, L.
Glenarthur, L.
Lindsay, E.
Maginnis of Drumglass, L.
Marlesford, L.
Montrose, D.
Northbrook, L.
Selborne, E.
Taylor of Holbeach, L.
Wakeham, L.

NOT CONTENTS
Andrews, B.
Archer of Sandwell, L.
Bach, L.
Bassam of Brighton, L. [Teller]
Bilston, L.
Bradley, L.
Brett, L.
Carter of Coles, L.
Craigavon, V.
Davidson of Glen Clova, L.
Davies of Oldham, L. [Teller]
Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde, B.
Elder, L.
Evans of Parkside, L.
Farrington of Ribbleton, B.
Foulkes of Cumnock, L.
Gale, B.
Gilbert, L.
Grocott, L.
Hamwee, B.
Hilton of Eggardon, B.
Hughes of Woodside, L.
Hunt of Kings Heath, L.
Lea of Crondall, L.
Lester of Herne Hill, L.
McIntosh of Hudnall, B.
Miller of Chilthorne Domer, B.
Morgan of Drefelin, B.
Neuberger, B.
Patel, L.
Patel of Bradford, L.
Pendry, L.
Royall of Blaisdon, B.
Sewel, L.
Shutt of Greetland, L.
Soley, L.
Thornton, B.
Tyler, L.
Warwick of Undercliffe, B.
West of Spithead, L.
Whitty, L.
Young of Old Scone, B.

Amendments 101B to 101BZZB not moved.

House resumed.

London Local Authorities and Transport for London (No. 2) Bill [HL]

Committee

The Chairman of Committees reported that, in accordance with Private Business Standing Order 92 (Unopposed Bill to be treated as opposed), any unopposed clauses of the Bill should be considered by the Select Committee appointed on 15 January 2009 to consider the Bill.

House adjourned at 9.48 pm.

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