UK Parliament / Open data

Deep Sea Mining Bill

Proceeding contribution from Barry Gardiner (Labour) in the House of Commons on Friday, 6 September 2013. It occurred during Debate on bills on Deep Sea Mining Bill.

I am grateful to the Minister for trying to respond fully to my concerns. I appreciate that. However, it is not sufficient to say that there is no cause for concern simply because only two licences have been issued to date and because there have been no problems with the way in which section 5 of that 32-year-old Act of Parliament is being implemented. He knows very well that section 5 states that

“the Secretary of State shall have regard to the need to protect”

the marine environment. The words “have regard to” do not provide for a strong protection. All we are asking is that that wording should be upgraded in the Bill.

About this proceeding contribution

Reference

567 c626 

Session

2013-14

Chamber / Committee

House of Commons chamber
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