Climate Change Bill [HL]

I thank the noble Lord for that intervention. I clearly do not disagree with him but, as I said in my opening remarks, I am talking about gravitas, respect and a subjective view of how these things are looked at. From my early political days, when I thought of a UK commission I considered a royal commission. Royal commissions have a reputation for dealing with worthy causes that are kicked into the long grass. The word ““commission”” arouses such connotations in many cases. However, there are exceptions: for example, the Electoral Commission. Noble Lords may not be in awe of that body because they do not stand for election but that is not the case with people who do stand for election. Certainly, life Peers do not stand for election in this House; I apologise for having omitted the others. The European Commission is extremely important and authoritative but does not operate in the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, ““commission”” is French for committee and I believe that the climate change committee is the best title. The title of the Monetary Policy Committee does not in any way lessen that body’s authority. I accept that I speak from a subjective, political point of view but I do not like ““commission””, which to me conveys within the British political culture the concept of long grass, arm’s length and a matter that government will ignore unless they really have to do otherwise.