Broads Authority Bill clears last hurdle
The Broads Authority Bill, which will improve the management and safety of the Broads, cleared its final hurdle at Westminster today, and now goes to the Queen for Royal Assent.
The first task this afternoon for the new Speaker of the Commons was to ask the House to consider the Lords’ Amendments to the Bill. These are largely technical and non-controversial and the Bill was allowed to proceed.
The Bill, first deposited at Westminster in November 2006, has been subject to two debates in the House of Commons, scrutiny by a Committee of MPs, two debates in the House of Lords and seven days of examination by a further Committee in the House of Lords. Although relatively minor changes to the wording have been agreed, all the key provisions in the original Bill have successfully passed this close scrutiny.
The support of the Government and agreement with the national boating organisations were crucial to its success.
Stephen Johnson, Chairman of the Broads Authority said:
“I am absolutely delighted that this important updating of our legislation has been given the final go ahead. The support of Ministers in both houses of Parliament, our local MPs and peers, the national boating organisations has been tremendous.
I would particularly like to thank Ian Gibson, Bishop Graham, and Lady Hollis who argued the case for the Bill first in the Commons and then in the Lords. Now we will get on with implementing the provisions with the aim of making the Broads an even safer place to enjoy."
23/06/09
