Member

The Bill is very well intended, but we are dependent on a whole array of regulators, agencies and local planning authorities doing the right thing and understanding what they are there to do. Going back to the point the noble Lord, Lord Banner, raised before, and his amendment on proportionality, many of our regulators do not seem to understand the issue of proportionality. What they understand is risk aversion. Seeing some of the public statements that regulators have issued, I do not believe they get it. I think there is a real risk that they will not operate the new legislation in the spirit in which it is intended.