Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]

I can respond very briefly to the noble Lord, Lord Smith of Leigh, as I agree with him that most local authorities will not employ extra staff to implement the measure. However, if they are going to implement it, they will have to have staff to do so, which means that those staff will not be doing whatever else they might have been doing. Are they already surplus to requirements, in which case why are they there? If they are not, other jobs will not be done. I am not sure that I have the great confidence that he has with regard to Lancashire County Council. However, that might arise from my prejudices in relation to the body of which I was a member for 25 years. However, if people think that our district council will employ extra staff to implement the measure, they have another think coming.