---

Commons Bill [HL]

In so far as it goes, I am grateful to my noble friend for what he said, but it does not go very far. The point is that graziers, commoners—those who own common rights on common land—should know who owns the land. Instead of them having to go to the Land Registry and going through expensive lawyers, it should be on the register. Although I understand that something will happen in 2012 or 2024 or whenever, I believe that this is the right thing to do. I have heard the argument that this is very complex and that owners should not be obliged to check the registry; should not be obliged to prove their ownership; and should not be obliged to say to the registrar, ““By the way, my ownership is in the Land Registry””. I believe that they should do that. But I understand that my noble friend will not give me any more comfort on this issue.