Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]

I, too, noted the reference to best practice advice. I will try not to anticipate what my noble friend might say, but I reiterate that best practice advice will be much more helpful than guidance. When I read last week’s Hansard, it seemed to be proved not that guidance was needed with regard to the duty but that the duty was not needed and was wrongly conceived. The Minister mentioned that local authorities might produce guidance to connected authorities and Clause 3 and 4 bodies in helping them to work through how to fulfil the duty. He also said that local authorities can decide for themselves how to fulfil the duty. I have difficulty with that, given the oddness of the duty, but if anything comes out of this it will be a focus on best practice and on local authorities working together to produce guidance—call it that or call it something else—for those various bodies. Sitting suspended for a Division in the House.