Localism Bill

My Lords, I shall not detain the House very long in winding up this fairly substantial debate. I thank the Minister for the movement that he has indicated in response to representations on the generality of the problems arising with local government. The concerns of the Welsh Local Government Association are very similar to those of the LGA and the extent that Part 2 can be amended between now and Report to meet those concerns will be equally as welcome in Wales as elsewhere, if the Act, as it will be, is to be applicable in Wales. I concur entirely with what the noble Lord, Lord Tope, said a moment ago about doing away with Part 2 in its entirety. That would avoid all the problems, but judging from the comments made by the Minister in responding to the debate, it seems that there is still an intention to have a Part 2, albeit amended. If that is the case, I hope that the message will be taken loud and clear from this Chamber that the Minister made it clear that by virtue of Section 36, the Act will apply in England only as things stand now. That will be heard particularly by my good friend Mr Alex Salmond and by others as well, as will the comments of the noble Lord, Lord Newton, about the response if there were attempts to take money from local authorities in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in relation to this Bill. I entirely understand that noble Lords from England will feel that there would be inequity if that was the case, and that is why I suspect that at some point in time we will find a formula that brings in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. If that is the case, it needs to be in the Bill. It needs to have an opportunity to be discussed and debated and to have all the opinions from those three areas brought on board before a final conclusion is reached in relation to the legislation. I very much hope that between now and Report, if there is to be movement away from what the noble Lord said—that it does not apply, as it presently stands, to the two nations of Wales and Scotland and to the Province of Northern Ireland—that can be made known to us in good time so that there can be discussion, if necessary, and discussion with the authorities in the devolved Administrations so that on Report we can address this in a way that will be acceptable, at least in terms of debate, discussion and parliamentary process, by those who have to live with the consequences. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment 110 withdrawn. Amendments 110A to 114 not moved. Clause 31 agreed. Clause 32 agreed. Amendment 114A not moved. Clause 33 : EU financial sanction notices Clause 33 : EU financial sanction notices Amendment 115 not moved. Clause 33 agreed. Clause 34 agreed. Amendment 115A not moved. Clause 35 : Further EU financial sanction notices Clause 35 : Further EU financial sanction notices Amendment 116 not moved. Clause 35 agreed. Amendment 117 not moved. Clause 36 : Meaning of ““local or public authority”” Clause 36 : Meaning of ““local or public authority”” Amendments 117ZA to 117A not moved. Clause 36 agreed. Clause 37 agreed. Amendment 118 Moved by