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Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill

My Lords, I thank the noble Baronesses on behalf of the Government for those kind comments, which I return in turn. This is an important Bill, shortly—I hope—to become an Act of Parliament. That is something that all sides of the House want to see happen as soon as possible. I am extremely grateful for the help that has been given to the Government by noble Lords from all parts of the House. The Bill has been improved significantly since it came to the House; it is now a better Bill. I pay tribute to my noble friend Lord Haskins, who in a sense is the author of a great deal of the Bill. I also mention my noble friend Lord Whitty, my predecessor, who was in charge of the Bill when he was a Minister at Defra. Certainly not least, I thank my noble friend Lady Farrington for the important part that she has played in our proceedings. I am grateful to noble Lords in all parts of the House, not least the Cross Benches, where a great deal of the expertise on this subject resides. On Question, Bill passed, and returned to the Commons with amendments.