UK Parliament / Open data

Sustainable Communities Bill

I am not a vegetarian and I am not advising the House to go vegan, although I presume from the hon. Gentleman’s intervention that that is what he would like me to do. We are able to tackle some issues—home insulation, for example—without destroying people’s lifestyle. Emissions from homes and factories account for about a third of the present total, so we could eat into a whole third without affecting local communities, without changing the way people go about their business and without destroying the sustainability of local communities. It is not just a matter of carbon dioxide, as animals produce other gases, but I do not want to go any further into that now. This is not a debate on agriculture. I would, however, like my hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip-Northwood further to consider the particular provision in the schedule. It could be used by some people to close local businesses or it could be used against the activities of local farmers and others. I feel that it sits uneasily with a Bill that is trying to promote sustainable communities. My view is that this issue should be left to be dealt with comprehensively by a climate change Bill.

About this proceeding contribution

Reference

461 c1018 

Session

2006-07

Chamber / Committee

House of Commons chamber
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