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Commons Bill [Lords]

I am reluctant to break the consensus on the commons. I confess that I have some sympathy with the mover of amendment No. 117, the hon. Member for Brecon and Radnorshire (Mr. Williams). As he rightly said, the amendment is a back-stop. There are pieces of land throughout the country—commons—where there is no known ownership. Commons are an important part of our environment and our landscape. Many of them are sites of special scientific interest. It seems that if no known owner exists, there is a case for management to come in. That management could be provided by the local authority. In the other place, Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton claimed:"““It is not that we need additional legislation in order for it to happen.””—[Official Report, House of Lords, 30 November 2005; Vol. 676, c. 282.]" The Baroness claims that there are existing powers to handle the situation. It would be helpful if the Minister would spell out those powers.