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Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill

I apologise to the noble Lord, Lord Dubs, for not being in the Chamber when he moved his amendment. I have read it with interest and I would be curious to know why he thinks that it is appropriate for the Secretary of State to be responsible for appointing parish members. I ought to know the current legislation, but I cannot remember whether parish councillors are appointed by the Secretary of State. I do not think they are. To the best of my knowledge, I think a nominee is appointed by the parish council, which seems to me the correct way of doing it. One thing is absolutely certain. Since parish councillors were introduced on to national park committees, it has made a great deal of difference and brought a much greater local democratic process into the system. But I am curious to know why the noble Lord thought it was appropriate for the Secretary of State to appoint the parish councillors, rather than for them to appoint themselves.