Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]

I must confess to be musing still about the exchange just now between my noble friend Lady Hamwee and the noble Baroness, Lady Warsi, and wondering what people reading the official record would make of the noble Baroness, Lady Warsi, spending a Friday evening being nuzzled by David Blunkett’s dog. I just wonder whether we should let the rumours grow or make it clear that we were talking about a radio programme called ““Any Questions?””. I have probably saved her reputation—or maybe I have damaged it. In moving the amendment, I shall also speak to Amendments 138A to 142. We have reached the chapter on the involvement in functions of public authorities, and Clause 23 in particular. Amendments 138 and 138A probe what the Government’s intentions are. If adopted, they would make this part of the Bill much clearer by having it state that an authority to which it applies shall seek involvement in the way described. I shall listen with interest to what the Minister says about the circumstances under which the duty might be exercised. Amendment 139 would fall were Amendment 138A to be adopted; otherwise, the amendment would simply replace ““representatives”” with ““persons””, which is a much more involving word with a wider meaning than the rather restricted term ““representatives””. The latter would require clarification as to whom the representatives represent and how they would do so. The next batch of amendments is to subsection (2). They probe the Government’s thinking not so much as to why organisations are included in the provision but why some are not. Amendment 140 refers to the Marine Management Organisation. Amendment 140A redresses what is, in my view as a member of a local authority, the more startling omission; it would include various health bodies: a primary care trust, a strategic health authority, a health service trust and an NHS foundation trust. I look forward to hearing the Minister’s explanation for the omission. It is so obvious that it could not be accidental; there is some deliberate thinking as to why it is not there. I wait with interest to hear what it is. Amendment 140B recognises what we have debated in the past on this Bill: the enormous importance of partnership and partnership working in local government. It seeks to include all the other partner organisations that may not need to be specifically listed. Bearing in mind our recent discussion about their importance, Amendment 141 seeks to include in subsection (7) specific reference to parish councils. This is done at the request of the National Association of Local Councils. It has said that it would welcome an express reference, which would be a formal recognition of the positive and creative role that parish councils can play and would enrich their contribution. I support that view and have happily tabled this amendment. I am sure that the Minister will wish to respond accordingly. Finally, Amendment 142 would add the words, "““and representatives of local government””," to the list of those whom the Secretary of State must consult. I am sure that the Minister will say—I hope she will—that subsection (3) actually means that of course the Secretary of State will consult representatives of local government, but we would like to have that on the record. I beg to move.