Marine and Coastal Access Bill [HL]

That is right, my Lords. We have heard today that, although a number of noble Lords do not agree with the relationship between the IPC and the MMO, that relationship is central to offshore marine developments of above 100 megawatts. There are safeguards, however. It was intended that we use secondary legislation to make the issue of consultation clear, but I have agreed to see what government amendment or amendments we could bring forward to enshrine those safeguards in primary legislation. I say to the noble Baroness that the work of the IPC will take place in the context of the national policy statements, while that of the MMO will take place in the context of the marine policy statements. Given that it is the Government’s responsibility to bring forward those statements, we are under an obligation to ensure that there is consistency between the two, and we will seek to do that. My third point is that the MMO will have undoubted expertise and experience in this area. It will be the organisation that is asked to give consent for most of these developments—only a limited number will meet the threshold for matters to fall to the IPC—in which case the MMO will be a serious player with a significant input into the process.