Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]

This is a new doctrine. In the eight years I have been a Member of the House I have never heard that the words in legislation should not be taken literally. I am concerned that if the legislation appears before a court at some stage that is exactly what the court will do. Courts look at the words and take them to mean what they usually mean in the English language. If the noble Lord is saying ““addressed”” can mean someone shouting through a loud hailer outside the town hall, that is one use of the word; but for a written document, ““addressed”” means that the name of the addressee appears on it. I do not understand why the Government are resisting the amendment when it is a simple device for clearing up any possible confusion.