text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Environment Bill - Clause 24 - Office for Environmental Protection - Independence
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  @ MP voted aye not to give the new environmental regulator, the Office for Environmental Protection, complete independence. 
  
  @ MP voted no to give to give the new environmental regulator, the Office for Environmental Protection, complete independence. 
  
  
  
  The majority of MPs voted not to give the new environmental regulator, the Office for Environmental Protection, complete independence. 
  
  
  MPs were considering the Environment Bill.[1][2]
  
  The motion supported by a majority of MPs in this vote was:
  
  :That this House disagrees with Lords amendment 31.
  
  Lords amendment 31[4] began:
  
  :Leave out Clause 24 and insert the following new Clauseâ
  :âOEP independence
  :(1) The OEP has complete discretion in the carrying out of its functions, including inâ
  :(a) preparing its enforcement policy,
  :(b) exercising its enforcement functions, and
  :(c) preparing and publishing its budget.
  :(2) At the start of each period of multi-annual funding and no later than 1 April 2023, the Secretary of State must lay before Parliament, and publish, a statement setting out the multi-annual budget which they intend to provide to the OEP.
  
  OEP means "The Office for Environmental Protection".
  
  Clause 24 was titled: ''Guidance on the OEPâs enforcement policy and functions'' and stated:
  
  :(1) The Secretary of State may issue guidance to the OEP on the matters listed in section 22(6) (OEPâs enforcement policy).
  :(2) The OEP must have regard to the guidance inâ
  :(a) preparing its enforcement policy, and
  :(b) exercising its enforcement functions.
  :(3) The Secretary of State may revise the guidance at any time.
  :(4) The Secretary of State must lay before Parliament, and publish, the guidance (and any revised guidance).
  :(5) The OEPâs âenforcement functionsâ are its functions under sections 31 to 40.
  
  
  
  --
  
  
  * [1] [https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/2593 Parliament's webpage on the Environment Bill], Parliament.uk
  * [2] [https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/58-01/0009/en/20009en01.htm Explanatory notes to the Environment Bill, 30 January 2020], Parliament.uk
  * [3] [https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/58-01/0220/200220.pdf Environment Bill as of 27 November 2020]. Parliament.uk
  * [4] [https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/58-02/0168/210168.pdf Lords amendments to the Environment Bill, 14 October 2021], Parliament.uk
  * [5] [https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/58-02/0168/en/210168env2.pdf Explanatory notes to the Lords amendments to the Environment Bill, 14 October 2021], Parliament.uk
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  