Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]

I thank the Minister for what can only be described as a valiant and passionate defence of economic prosperity boards. I am sure that it is not due to the Minister's response but down to my understanding that I am left at the end of this debate, 55 minutes into discussion of this part, no clearer as to the exact role that the economic prosperity boards will play compared with the work being done by local authorities and RDAs and how specifically in the current economic climate they will make a difference. When government funding is under pressure, and when local authorities want the Government to respond to local needs, and regions up and down the country are facing different challenges posed by the current recession, it is unclear how economic prosperity boards will make the situation better. The role of regional development authorities was, among other things, to consider the development of regions, to be flexible, responsive and aware, and in some ways to be ready to respond to the current economic situation, but they have not managed to do so. I question the role of the economic prosperity boards. Their composition, how they will work, when they will be set up and how they will be funded are as yet unclear. They are the elephant in the room that is not needed and they will be delivered far too late to be of any use in the current situation. I will read in Hansard the detail given by the Minister today, but the feeling around the Committee is that we are likely to return to this matter on Report. At this stage, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment 183A withdrawn.