Climate Change Bill [HL]

My Lords, I thank the Minister most sincerely for taking this whole issue a good stage further. I cannot say that we have necessarily got to the end of it but I think that we all have a great deal more understanding. Amendment No. 79 does not lay down the exact detail of what the devolved Administrations might have to contribute. The advice of the climate change committee could be sought if we are trying to separate out the measure. However, we are clear that devolution means that the devolved Administrations will each decide what they are going to do. They will have full rein to decide by how much they wish to reduce their carbon footprint. That will form the basis on which the UK carbon budget is set and the balance will be picked up by Westminster. But will we look at how the measure has been fulfilled and at how the different Administrations have carried out what they promised to do? As we said, if some of the policies have been more successful than others, it would be good to review them. As the Minister said, the draft Bill was published before the March election and the devolved Administrations agreed to the Bill that came before your Lordships’ House. However, in passing the legislative consent Motion the devolved Administrations do not go into the Bill in quite the same detail as we do here. Therefore, we should consider whether certain phrases and elements should be changed. I do not think that we have tried to change the direction of the Bill in any way. I like to think that the changes we propose seek to improve it and make it more understandable. The Minister is on record as saying that the concordat will be published. That does not happen with all concordats and it will be very useful to see it. The carbon accounting system developed in London will be used for the national management of carbon accounts. Presumably, the devolved Administrations will either have to buy into that system or develop their own. It would be useful to have feedback on how they manage their accounts and consider the effect that has on the overall UK position. In the mean time, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendment No. 80 not moved.]