Violent Crime Reduction Bill

moved Amendment No. 79:"Page 12, line 1, after ““locality”” insert ““including the proposed content of the action plan””" The noble Viscount said: I move the amendment in the name of my noble friend Lady Anelay and myself. The noble Lord, Lord Thomas of Gresford, has obligingly set out the timetable in the process by which an area can be designated as an alcohol disorder zone, so I can speak much more briefly to this amendment. Amendment No. 79 would speed up the process by ensuring that the draft action plan is published at the same time as the proposal to designate is issued. That way, stakeholders will be able to see the action plan at the consultation stage and can make representations about it rather than being presented with a fait accompli after the opportunity to make representations has passed. In another place, the Minster agreed with that in principle but stated in Committee on 20 October that the Government would spell out,"““through a combination of regulations and guidance””," what a proposal to designate could contain. She also gave a categoric assurance that that,"““will include a requirement to publish the proposed content of the action plan at the consultation stage””." She went on to say,"““that that would be a proper way of proceeding, and better than specifying everything in the Bill””.—[Official Report, Commons Standing Committee B, 20/10/06; col. 146.]" It will come as no surprise to know that we do not agree with that. Our amendment shows how straightforward it would be to include such a requirement on the face of the Bill. I beg to move.