§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has had on the terms of the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Bill since it received Royal Assent; when he expects the new authority to be operational; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoynihanRoyal Assent to the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act 1988 was signified on 15 March. Under the Act's provisions my right hon. Friend is empowered to make an order specifying the date on which the new Broads Authority will be constituted as soon as not less than 27 of the 33 appointments required to be made (under section 1(3)(a) and (b) of the Act) by my right hon. Friend and the 12 other appointing authorities have been duly made. Those authorities have all been invited to inform the Department as soon as their appointments have been made. Consultations have also been initiated with the various interested bodies about the nine appointments which my right hon. Friend is required to make, and suggestions are now being received.
My right hon. Friend intends to make an order establishing the new authority as soon as all the necessary appointments have been made. As I informed the House on 29 February, during consideration of Lords amendments, it is intended that the "operative date", on which the new authority will assume all its executive functions, will be 1 April 1989.