Marine and Coastal Access Bill [HL]

I understand that. I accept entirely the objective in those terms. It will be necessary for the appropriate authority to make sure that it meets this absolutely critical objective of the Government. However, we are talking about the powers of an authority in relation to a plan that is specifically linked to its area. Of course the clause indicates that the sustainable development aspect relates to the effect that it has on any related area, but the plan is bound to relate to the authority which derives its power from the Bill. For us to introduce into a Bill related to the marine environment obligations that relate to other authorities would clearly not be appropriate. We are saying that where these authorities act, they must have regard to sustainable development. Of course the noble Lord is right that the concept of sustainable development cannot have a boundary in that sense, but, equally clearly, you have to put an obligation on a specific authority and then, beyond that, you need co-ordination between authorities. That is a matter for the wider government position in its pursuit of authorities, but this Bill is about these authorities, and that is why in this case the sustainable development aspect relates specifically to the area for which the authority has responsibility.