Marine and Coastal Access Bill [HL]

The Minister’s answers were very helpful except for his last sentence, which negatived the upshot of my amendments. I am very pleased that the full briefing will become available and I am sure that we will be able to iron out one or two things in our discussions. However, it seems to me that there is a great deal of agreement and that one should not make waves if some details need to be resolved. As a result of the Government of Wales Act 1998, for the past 10 years the Assembly has had responsibility for fisheries, inshore matters and all kinds of things under 20 Acts of Parliament. I am sure that there will be a level of co-operation and on this occasion I am very happy to put something forward for Scotland. I have worked in Scotland twice and am married to a Scot, so I well understand the situation there. I believe that my noble friend Lord Wallace of Tankerness will be here when we next debate this matter but, at this point, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment 16 withdrawn. Amendment 17 not moved.