Enterprise Bill [Lords] — House of Commons, 2016-03-08
Topic: Environment
John Simon Bercow (Conservative, Centre-right): As I informed the House on Monday 26 October, before a Report stage begins on a Bill, I will seek to identify in advance those changes made in Committee that I would expect to certify, together with any Government amendments tabled on Report that, if passed, would be likely to lead me to issue a certificate. My provisional certificate, based on those changes and expected amendments, is available in the Vote Office and on the "Bills before Parliament" website. At the end of the Report stage on a Bill, I am required to consider the Bill as amended on Report for certification. At that point—tomorrow, in this case—I will issue my final certificate. As I informed the House on 26 October, I have accepted the advice of the Procedure Committee not, as a rule, to give reasons for decisions on certification during this experimental phase of the new regime. Anybody wishing to make representations to me prior to any decision should send them to the Clerk of Legislation New Clause 4 Objectives of UK Green Investment Bank ‘(1) Prior to a sale of shares of a UK Green Investment Bank Company (as defined in section 30(2)) the Secretary of State shall— (a) ensure that the objects of the UK Green Investment Bank Company contained in its articles of association ("the Objectives") shall be— (i) the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; (ii) the advancement of efficiency in the use of natural resources; (iii) the protection or enhancement of the natural environment; (iv) the protection or enhancement of biodiversity; (v) the promotion of environmental sustainability; (b) ensure the articles of association of the UK Green Investment Bank Company require its directors to act and review their actions against the Objectives; (c) create a special share; and (d) establish a company limited by guarantee registered with the Charity Commission ("the Charitable Company") that will own the special share (2) Any amendment to the Objectives shall require the consent of the Charitable Company, as holder of the special share (3) The special share shall— (a) have no income or capital rights; (b) have no voting rights except on a vote to amend the Objectives and on a vote to alter the rights of the special share (4) The rights of the special share shall be deemed altered by the issue of any other special share of the same class (5) The Charitable Company that will own the special share shall— (a) have three members, none of which shall be public bodies; (b) have as initial members legal persons appointed by the Committee on Climate Change established under the Climate Change Act 2008; (c) provide that if any member ceases to be a member the remaining members shall nominate the replacement member; (d) provide that the members will be required to act unanimously in exercising the rights attached to the special share (6) For the avoidance of doubt, the Committee on Climate Change shall play no role in the conduct of the Charitable Company or its members following the initial appointment of those members prior to the sale of UK Green Investment Bank company shares by the Secretary of State."—(Kevin Brennan.) Brought up, and read the First time.