Climate Change Bill [HL]

The clause is very open. This matter could indeed be dealt with in all kinds of ways, but there needs to be a specific point at which the Secretary of State has to lay the report before the Parliament. The amendment suggests a reasonable time limit of six months. We do not believe that that would be unduly onerous on government or the Secretary of State. The time limit should be specified in the Bill, otherwise there will be a temptation to put it off. All organisations, government departments and individuals work better if they are accountable to deadlines; hence it is quite correct and proper that there should be a specific time period by which these orders need to be laid before Parliament, and we suggest that six months is a reasonable period. On that basis, I beg to move.