Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]

I added my name and that of my noble friend Lord Tope to almost all the amendments. I am prompted to speak not only because it is right to support them and that we are heard to do so but because the messages that I have been getting indicate panic outside this room as to the speed at which we are moving—one can never get it right; I have just been asked how far I am prepared to go. Perhaps I should therefore speak at great length and even more slowly than I normally do, so that we keep on track. I knew that the noble Lord, Lord Best, would cover all the ground very powerfully. He and I are not asking the Government for very much. The amendments do not change rights; they give the group of people to whom he referred—in fact, it is a lot of groups in quite a variety of circumstances—a voice. They enable the power of people coming together to make a point to be felt. I hope that the Government will give us assurances as to the way in which they are looking at this important and, as the noble Lord said, now suddenly expanding sector.