| Synopsis: |
This document sets out the Government response to the public consultation on the draft Marine Bill (Cm. 7351, ISBN 9780101735124) and to the reports of the following Parliamentary Committees: Joint Committee on the Marine Bill (HL 159-I/HC 552-I, session 2007-08, ISBN 9780104013427) and the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee report on the coastal access provisions of the bill (9th report, session 2007-08, HC 656-I, ISBN 9780215522030). In all some 459 organisations and individuals offered their views on the proposals in the draft Bill, and there was broad support for its main proposals. This response gives a detailed response to the recommendations from the committee reports, summarises key issues that emerged in the consultation process, and sets out the main changes the Government intends to make to the draft Bill before its introduction. |