Marine and Coastal Access Bill [HL]

Clause 43 says: "““An MPS may only be prepared by—""(a) all the policy authorities, acting jointly,””—" that is the preferred option— "““(b) the Secretary of State and any one or more other policy authorities, acting jointly””—" which would apply when, perhaps, one policy authority has not been able to join in—or the Secretary of State. That is a fall-back position, but the problem with it is that, while a marine policy statement can still be prepared and published as a statement for the whole United Kingdom, it will not have as much force as one would like in those areas where the devolved Administrations have authority. That is why we much prefer to use Clause 43(1)(a): that the MPS, "““be prepared by … all the policy authorities, acting jointly””."