London Local Authorities Bill [Lords]

I thank the hon. Member for Derby North (Chris Williamson), who is being very generous and is advancing a cogent and interesting argument, but I have two problems. First, he used the expression ““another tool in the locker”” with regard to these provisions. That is precisely one of the arguments that we are advancing against them: there is already a tool in the locker—the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Why should we require another tool in the locker to achieve something that can be achieved by existing legislation? Secondly, while I am on my feet, can the hon. Gentleman clarify for us the degree to which the provisions would apply to the Parliamentary estate, and the Government estate down Whitehall?