GOVERNMENT HAVE 'SLOW-TRACKED' MARINE BILL, SAYS MARTIN (Cheltenham Liberal Democrats)

Cheltenham Liberal Democrats <info@cheltlibdems.org.uk>

GOVERNMENT HAVE 'SLOW-TRACKED' MARINE BILL, SAYS MARTIN

November 7, 2007 1:29 PM

Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood today criticised the continued delay in the introduction of the much-delayed Marine Bill, which did not feature at all in yesterday's Queen's Speech but which the government still promises to publish just as a draft bill this year.

Consultation was carried out on a Marine Bill in 2006 and the government published a white paper in March 2007 inviting further consultation. The draft Bill, whenever it is finally published, will be subject to yet more consultation. Yet despite widespread support there is still no sign of actual legislation until late 2008 or early 2009 when it will be at risk from a general election.

The widely-supported measure would introduce legislation to regulate and protect the UK's marine environment, only 0.001% of which is currently protected.

Commenting Martin said:

"If you compare the way that the government have delayed the Marine Bill with the swift introduction of measures like the Planning Bill, you can only come to the conclusion that the government has been 'slow tracking' this measure. The environment continues to be put on the back burner while the government promotes economic growth at all costs.

"The Marine Bill was a Labour manifesto commitment in 2005, and its delay is another example of a government that talks the talk on the environment but never seems to get around to walking the walk."