If the local authority were able to gain even caretaker ownership of the land it should be possible, under the powers of the Bill as it stands, that the commons registration authority residing in the local authority could construct a new commons association. At least that would secure the good...

If the local authority were able to gain even caretaker ownership of the land it should be possible, under the powers of the Bill as it stands, that the commons registration authority residing in the local authority could construct a new commons association. At least that would secure the good...

I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendment No. 239 not moved.] Clause 44 agreed to.

I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendment No. 239 not moved.] Clause 44 agreed to.

moved Amendment No. 238:"Page 24, line 40, leave out paragraphs (b) to (d)." The noble Lord said: The amendment is a result of intensive discussions with commons associations, in particular, and seeks to leave out paragraphs (b) to (d). Those paragraphs refer to Natural England, the Countryside Council for Wales and...

moved Amendment No. 238:"Page 24, line 40, leave out paragraphs (b) to (d)." The noble Lord said: The amendment is a result of intensive discussions with commons associations, in particular, and seeks to leave out paragraphs (b) to (d). Those paragraphs refer to Natural England, the Countryside Council for Wales and...

None the less, the local authority would have a view of the situation. Does it mean that the only route that objectors can take is a public inquiry?

None the less, the local authority would have a view of the situation. Does it mean that the only route that objectors can take is a public inquiry?

Just before the noble Lord responds, with reference to wind farms, did I understand the Minister to say that a local authority denial of consent could be overruled?

Just before the noble Lord responds, with reference to wind farms, did I understand the Minister to say that a local authority denial of consent could be overruled?

I am sure the Minister will remember that I previously cited the examples of two golf courses appearing on common land. One of the difficulties is that urban authorities are perhaps not so attentive to encroachment of common land as rural authorities, which have a much better handle on it....

I am sure the Minister will remember that I previously cited the examples of two golf courses appearing on common land. One of the difficulties is that urban authorities are perhaps not so attentive to encroachment of common land as rural authorities, which have a much better handle on it....

Briefly, I support the amendment in principle. The process should not be open-ended. The imposition of a timetable would ensure that information and completion would occur within a specified time limit.

Briefly, I support the amendment in principle. The process should not be open-ended. The imposition of a timetable would ensure that information and completion would occur within a specified time limit.

I apologise to the Committee for being slightly late. I am a victim of there being no public transport in my area and the consequences of that. Amendment No. 194 reads:"““Page 19, line 34, after ‘authority’, insert ‘in consultation with the relevant commons association’””." The purpose of the amendment is to ensure...

I apologise to the Committee for being slightly late. I am a victim of there being no public transport in my area and the consequences of that. Amendment No. 194 reads:"““Page 19, line 34, after ‘authority’, insert ‘in consultation with the relevant commons association’””." The purpose of the amendment is to ensure...

I can see that, and not of my age either. However, I want to look at the two-months period. We all know that the Commons Registration Act 1965 was not a complete success. Matters were not resolved adequately between 1965 and 1970, even though that was quite a long period. I feel...

I can see that, and not of my age either. However, I want to look at the two-months period. We all know that the Commons Registration Act 1965 was not a complete success. Matters were not resolved adequately between 1965 and 1970, even though that was quite a long period. I feel...

Is it possible to disagree only slightly with my noble friend? I want to make a couple of points. As I recall, Amendment No. 85 concerned commons associations and local authorities being able to manage unclaimed common land. While I quite agree with my noble friend about local authorities and the position...

Is it possible to disagree only slightly with my noble friend? I want to make a couple of points. As I recall, Amendment No. 85 concerned commons associations and local authorities being able to manage unclaimed common land. While I quite agree with my noble friend about local authorities and the position...

I thank the Minister for agreeing that perhaps the role of the national parks needs to be re-examined. However, before withdrawing the amendment, I would like to leave the Minister with this question: what are the priorities of Natural England and CCW? If they are not assembled in a sensible,...

I thank the Minister for agreeing that perhaps the role of the national parks needs to be re-examined. However, before withdrawing the amendment, I would like to leave the Minister with this question: what are the priorities of Natural England and CCW? If they are not assembled in a sensible,...

I support the Minister in what she said about agricultural activity. I have tabled Amendment No. 238—I do not wish to speak to it now; it is not the right time to do so—but I think that the amendments of the noble Lord, Lord Rotherwick, are helpful. The key issue is that...

I support the Minister in what she said about agricultural activity. I have tabled Amendment No. 238—I do not wish to speak to it now; it is not the right time to do so—but I think that the amendments of the noble Lord, Lord Rotherwick, are helpful. The key issue is that...

moved Amendment No. 252: "Page 28, line 6, at end insert—" "““““right of access”” means a right of access as defined by section 2 of and Schedule 2 to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (c. 37);””" The noble Lord said: It is my privilege to propose the last amendment. I have degrouped...

moved Amendment No. 252: "Page 28, line 6, at end insert—" "““““right of access”” means a right of access as defined by section 2 of and Schedule 2 to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (c. 37);””" The noble Lord said: It is my privilege to propose the last amendment. I have degrouped...

I have just a couple of points to make. One of them is a bit frivolous. I knew several people, now departed from this earth, who purported to know those 20,000 Acts and were well versed. It is a pity that they passed on, because they knew an awful lot about...

I have just a couple of points to make. One of them is a bit frivolous. I knew several people, now departed from this earth, who purported to know those 20,000 Acts and were well versed. It is a pity that they passed on, because they knew an awful lot about...

I have always been suspicious of people who know it all. All I can say to my noble friend Lord Greaves is that one never stops learning. But of course he had the benefit of spending many hours considering the CROW Act, which I did not have at the time....

I have always been suspicious of people who know it all. All I can say to my noble friend Lord Greaves is that one never stops learning. But of course he had the benefit of spending many hours considering the CROW Act, which I did not have at the time....

I support this amendment in principle, but I am not sure about the period of 12 calendar months; it may need to be two years given the speed at which things move in relation to common land. It might be necessary to allow that length of time to sort things out.

I support this amendment in principle, but I am not sure about the period of 12 calendar months; it may need to be two years given the speed at which things move in relation to common land. It might be necessary to allow that length of time to sort things out.

Amendment No. 156 is related to Clause 30(3)(f),"““removing livestock unlawfully permitted to graze””." I want to question the Minister a little further on this. I understand that at the moment it is not possible to remove a pony or horse from a common if the animal does not have a passport. This...

Amendment No. 156 is related to Clause 30(3)(f),"““removing livestock unlawfully permitted to graze””." I want to question the Minister a little further on this. I understand that at the moment it is not possible to remove a pony or horse from a common if the animal does not have a passport. This...

I thank the Minister for that response. On Question, amendment agreed to. [Amendments Nos. 186 to 188 not moved.] Clause 33, as amended, agreed to. Clause 34 [Consequential provision]:

I thank the Minister for that response. On Question, amendment agreed to. [Amendments Nos. 186 to 188 not moved.] Clause 33, as amended, agreed to. Clause 34 [Consequential provision]:

These amendments have created much interest. Amendment No. 174 would add the words,"““as long as it does not remove, infringe or impede the owner’s rights””." That is fair enough and we agree with it. Similarly, we agree with Amendment No. 175. However, Amendment No. 176, proposed by the noble Lord, Lord Williams, would leave out...

These amendments have created much interest. Amendment No. 174 would add the words,"““as long as it does not remove, infringe or impede the owner’s rights””." That is fair enough and we agree with it. Similarly, we agree with Amendment No. 175. However, Amendment No. 176, proposed by the noble Lord, Lord Williams, would leave out...

Our Amendment No. 252 may help to resolve the issue.

Our Amendment No. 252 may help to resolve the issue.