Marine and Coastal Access Bill [HL]

I am grateful to the noble Baroness, and I am sorry that the phrase that the noble Lord should withdraw his amendment ““with confidence”” caused a little frisson. By that, I meant that I hoped that I had been confident enough in my presentation to reassure the noble Lord. The noble Baroness has indicated why I have not been so persuasive. I emphasise that the two clauses may use different terminology, as she indicated, because they relate to two parts of the planning process. Nevertheless, this overall commitment is emphasised in Clause 42 with the marine policy statement. I assure the noble Baroness and the noble Lord, Lord Greaves, that we have clearly spelt out within the framework of the Bill the obligation on the need for sustainable development as an absolute priority for both component parts of the planning mechanism. I do not think that the amendment adds anything to that. Is the noble Lord saying that the Bill does not have enough emphasis on sustainable development? I heard that point being made when we discussed the earlier amendments. Of course, the Government recognise this commitment, and it is clearly emphasised in both these crucial clauses. I hope that, having pressed the Government on our commitment, which is clearly expressed in these clauses, the noble Lord will feel that he has had a reasonable response to his interesting amendment.