Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]

I think that I understand the answer. The board could sit either on top of all the top-tier authorities or below counties and above districts. However, it could be a combination of the two if unitaries, counties and districts were taking part in the same EPB. I am grateful for the Minister’s long explanation. My only quibble with it is her unwillingness to call the EPBs tiers. I do not know why ““tier”” is inappropriate. ““Tier”” is used in this country for tiers of government or governance. We also have a national tier, a European tier,. devolved tiers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, various tiers of local government and a regional tier of governance within some of the institutions we have been talking about today and which will develop as a result of the Bill. It is therefore perfectly legitimate to talk about tiers of governance and government. It is absolutely clear that the Government are inserting new tiers of corporate authorities which, as my noble friend said some hours ago, look to us very like local authorities except that they are not democratic. I beg leave to withdraw Amendment 183D. Amendment 183D withdrawn. Amendments 183E and 183F not moved. Clause 83 agreed.