Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill

This is a small amendment but it disguises a very important point. The same point was made in Amendment No. 261, which none of us spoke to. There is no doubt that the Secretary of State is gradually accruing more and more functions. This point is being examined by the committee of your Lordships’ House that considers regulations. The more powers the Secretary of State has to amend Bills or carry out functions that are not scrutinised thereafter diminishes the democratic and scrutinising powers of this House. Although, as the noble Baroness says, this is a small amendment about a small matter, it is a very important point of principle which has been made before from both the Liberal Democrat and Conservative Benches. I am sure that this will not be the last time it is made.