Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]

I suspect that the Minister will not see our Amendment 180G as helpful or constructive. We feel that Clause 75(3) is heavy handed. My noble friend referred in opening to the lesser role of the Secretary of State in this provision compared with that in other clauses, but Clause 75(3) provides for the Secretary of State to make regulations relating to the period to be covered by the report, to its form and content and to the report being submitted to the Secretary of State. The implication of the last point is that a formal submission may lead to the Secretary of State taking some action—it would be entirely natural for the report to be submitted in any event—but one cannot really envisage local authorities saying, ““No, you cannot see it””. I assume the clause carries with it an implication that there is something more to it than that, but it does seem a little heavy handed.