Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]

My Lords, my noble friend and I had added our names to what I might describe as the predecessor amendment, which was shorter and possibly sweeter than this one. Following the comments about possible differences between government departments, my noble friend Lord Tope said: "““Long years in your Lordships’ House have taught me that it is conceptually impossible for two government departments to make contradictory comments””.—[Official Report, 24/2/09; col. GC 81.]" My noble friend, by definition, is slightly older, but in any event I do not think that his wisdom can be improved on. During the exchange on the earlier amendment concerning delegation, the Minister made a number of comments that it is worth picking up on briefly. She said that the best outcomes, "““do not need new powers or new legislation””," but delegation is different. She talked about a, "““regional structure of joint responsibility””." However, as I understand it, that is a responsibility for the strategy. I was puzzled by a comment from the Minister shortly after that. She talked about the RDAs’, "““joint responsibility for delivery of regional strategy””." I am not entirely clear how the different functions fit together here. The delegation concerns RDA functions more widely than under this Bill. The Minister also talked about preserving the flexibility of RDA budgets so that they can, "““if necessary, be flexed to address economic imperatives””.—[Official Report, 24/2/09; cols. GC 83-84.]" That sentence worries me quite a lot. I believe that RDAs have budgets on a year-by-year basis. I may be wrong about that but I think that, if they do not spend by the end of the year what they were planning to spend, they lose the opportunity to do so. However, what worries me slightly is the distinction that seems to be inherent in that comment between the RDAs and local authorities. Having said that, I have written in quite a number of places next to the amendment the word ““How””. How are regulations needed? How will this operate, and so on? I think that there would be a need for regulations if this amendment or anything like it were agreed. However, the general underlying point is one with which we absolutely agree. Delegation can be a delicate and difficult matter but local authorities have their fingers on the pulse. They have a wider remit than the RDAs, and that is an advantage. They have a more holistic approach and, above all, they are elected. Although I could pick holes in the amendment, we support the principle. If the noble Lord takes this through the Lobbies this evening, we will support him.