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Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Establishment of Conservation Board) (Amendment) Order 2009

That is very kind of the noble Lord. Also, we are having a Tube strike, and it is refreshing to have a Tube strike that I am not responsible for. I will take advantage of his offer and promise to write. Briefly, I can tell him that the Chilterns has eight members appointed by the Secretary of State, while the Cotswolds has 14. We believe strongly that these conservation boards bring benefits. The boards are independent corporate bodies, which enables them to challenge local authorities when necessary. This results in better decision-making. The benefits of a board include higher-status independence through its higher profile and a greater ability to attract third-party project funding. The board has various functions, except planning, that the local authorities derogate or share with it in pursuit of their purposes. In contrast to that, the alternative—the joint advisory committee model which is used to manage almost all other areas of outstanding natural beauty—has no powers and can only advise local authorities on what decisions to make. If I have not answered the other questions put to me, I am more than content to write to noble Lords. Motion agreed.