Climate Change Bill [HL]

My Lords, before my noble friend responds to this debate, I want to add—with a rather heavy heart—that I cannot quite follow him on this amendment. He poses the question: is it conceivable that the Secretary of State might have to overrule the committee? It is just conceivable. I would accept, along with everyone else, that science should definitely be in the driving seat—it must be the overall consideration. However, he said himself that there might be changes in international law or obligations, or changes posed in ways where the Secretary of State might be much better informed than the committee. The Bill as drafted, which requires the Secretary of State to publish a statement setting out his reasons for not conforming to the advice of the committee, must, on reflection, be considered reasonable.