Climate Change Bill [HL]

moved Amendment No. 139: 139: Schedule 1, page 34, line 38, at end insert ““, save that the Committee must itself exercise its functions as set out in Part 1 of this Act and section 28”” The noble Lord said: Part of having a robust Committee on Climate Change would be its ability to create sub-committees to investigate particular relevant issues. However, as the Bill stands, our understanding is that the committee is empowered to create sub-committees to carry out any of its functions. We feel that certain functions must be reserved for the committee itself. Indeed, all the functions of the committee set out in Part 1 relating to setting and amending the targets and carbon budgets should be executed by the committee. Considering that the Bill is going to empower the committee to such a great degree, and subject the appointment of its members to such heavy scrutiny, it should be the responsibility of the committee itself rather than a sub-committee to tackle the primary issues. Part of this amendment specifically references the duties placed on the committee in Clause 28, related to reporting. We do not want the committee’s report on progress to be able to be presented by an appointed sub-committee. We are not against the regular use of sub-committees and outside individuals, agencies and organisations in assisting in formulating decisions. However, we firmly believe that major reports should come from the committee. The committee should consider, and be accountable for, its primary responsibilities itself. With this amendment we are trying to close what could be a loophole that leads to buck-passing. I beg to move.