HL Deb 13 June 2000 vol 613 cc1521-2
Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale

My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a third time.

Moved, That the Bill be now read a third time.—(Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale.)

Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish

My Lords, perhaps I may intervene briefly not so much on the detail of the Bill but on the fact that it is before the House at all

Planning has been devolved by your Lordships and Parliament to the Scottish Parliament and to the Scottish Executive. This Bill is entirely about the planning of Waverley Station in Edinburgh. If we have devolved planning to the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Parliament should be dealing with such issues. If the Minister tells me that it is perfectly in order for this House to deal with this planning matter, I shall raise questions about the planning matter relating to the Scottish Parliament building and the inflating of the costs therein.

The Government cannot have it both ways. They have either devolved these planning matters to the Scottish Parliament or they have retained them. I should be deeply grateful for some explanation as to why this matter—it appears to be entirely to do with planning—is not one now for the competence of the Scottish Parliament.

The Duke of Montrose

My Lords, perhaps I may ask for the forbearance of the House as regards my curiosity. In paragraph 12 of the schedule tie feudal title of this land is to be vested in the company. As the Scottish Parliament is about to abolish all feudal titles, what is the purpose of vesting this title in the company?

Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale

My Lords, perhaps I can enlighten noble Lords opposite. First, this measure goes forward under the Private Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Act 1936. No comparable procedures are available to the Scottish Parliament. It has no procedures available to pass private legislation. That is the answer to the noble Lord, Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish. Private legislation is not devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness for allowing me to intervene. I understand the answer. Was that a mistake by the Government when they took the Bill through? Should it have been devolved to the Scottish Parliament?

Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale

My Lords, no, it was certainly not a mistake. I do not remember the noble Lord, Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish, moving an amendment seeking to put it into the Scotland Bill.

On Question, Bill read a third time, and passed.