§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the basis for his statement to the House on 4 December regarding the alleged hybridity of the proposed Bill to create a new regulatory authority for the Norfolk Broads; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe promoters of the proposed Broads Bill were advised that legislation on the lines of the draft Bill ought to be effected by a public Bill, which would be hybrid, and should not be allowed to proceed as a private Bill. I understand that in coming to that view counsel was influenced by the wide issues of public policy raised by the proposed transfer to the new authority of many of the functions of other statutory authorities, and by the extent to which the new authority was to be financed by Exchequer funds. We believe this Bill to be in principle a good one and are at present considering what further steps could be taken.