My Lords, the Government deserve congratulations for bringing forward this Agriculture Bill. It offers the same potential as the Attlee Government’s efforts in 1947 and the common agricultural policy that has dominated us for so long. I am particularly pleased that the Government have realised that farming is changing and...

My Lords, the Government deserve congratulations for bringing forward this Agriculture Bill. It offers the same potential as the Attlee Government’s efforts in 1947 and the common agricultural policy that has dominated us for so long. I am particularly pleased that the Government have realised that farming is changing and...

I was going to do that. We have 19 million visitors. In order to accommodate them, there need to be facilities. If we are going to have public access, we need small car parks and public transport to get people to the attractive areas.

I was going to do that. We have 19 million visitors. In order to accommodate them, there need to be facilities. If we are going to have public access, we need small car parks and public transport to get people to the attractive areas.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the cost to the Exchequer of the value respectively of (1) Capital Gains Tax relief, (2) Inheritance Tax relief, (3) Income Tax relief, and (4) Business Rate relief given to forestry and upland land ownerships over the past five years.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the cost to the Exchequer of the value respectively of (1) Capital Gains Tax relief, (2) Inheritance Tax relief, (3) Income Tax relief, and (4) Business Rate relief given to forestry and upland land ownerships over the past five years.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions ministers have had with forestry stakeholders concerning forestry policy post-Brexit.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions ministers have had with forestry stakeholders concerning forestry policy post-Brexit.

To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend to name the National Tree Champion.

To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend to name the National Tree Champion.

I rise very briefly just to say that it is a very unusual experience to find that one of my co-signatories to an amendment is a government Minister and that I look forward to it happening more and more in the future. I say that in the spirit in which...

I rise very briefly just to say that it is a very unusual experience to find that one of my co-signatories to an amendment is a government Minister and that I look forward to it happening more and more in the future. I say that in the spirit in which...

47: Schedule 1, page 17, line 11, leave out ““Regional advisory committees established under section 37(1)(b) of the Forestry Act 1967.””

47: Schedule 1, page 17, line 11, leave out ““Regional advisory committees established under section 37(1)(b) of the Forestry Act 1967.””

I believe that with Amendment 47 we are also discussing a series of other amendments which relate to forestry issues. I shall carry on in the spirit of bonhomie which has engulfed the Benches in the House today but I must also say that I could not have foreseen such...

I believe that with Amendment 47 we are also discussing a series of other amendments which relate to forestry issues. I shall carry on in the spirit of bonhomie which has engulfed the Benches in the House today but I must also say that I could not have foreseen such...

I agree with the Minister that there come occasions when it is appropriate to sell a small part of the estate. However, the difference between us and the present Government is that, under us, all the moneys received from the sale of any forest land either was used to buy...

I agree with the Minister that there come occasions when it is appropriate to sell a small part of the estate. However, the difference between us and the present Government is that, under us, all the moneys received from the sale of any forest land either was used to buy...

My Lords, I appreciate that the Minister has been very generous with his time with me. However, in order to expedite matters later, I raise one point that he did not answer, which is quite critical. Is the 15 per cent cumulative, so to speak? When the 15 per cent...

My Lords, I appreciate that the Minister has been very generous with his time with me. However, in order to expedite matters later, I raise one point that he did not answer, which is quite critical. Is the 15 per cent cumulative, so to speak? When the 15 per cent...

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Marlesford, has quite rightly reminded us that the proposal to cull quangos was in the manifestos of both coalition partners. Therefore, I accept the purpose of the Bill. However, like so many other noble Lords who have spoken today, I am concerned about the...

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Marlesford, has quite rightly reminded us that the proposal to cull quangos was in the manifestos of both coalition partners. Therefore, I accept the purpose of the Bill. However, like so many other noble Lords who have spoken today, I am concerned about the...

I thank my noble friend for introducing the order; declare an interest as chair of the Forestry Commission; and thank the noble Baronesses for their comments. I just make the general point that the days have gone when the sole job of the Forestry Commission was to produce wood. One might now...

I thank my noble friend for introducing the order; declare an interest as chair of the Forestry Commission; and thank the noble Baronesses for their comments. I just make the general point that the days have gone when the sole job of the Forestry Commission was to produce wood. One might now...

I thank the noble Baroness for that question. We are thinking of one organisation. The truth is that we are good at running forests, but we are not very good at running other things, because that is not our skill and expertise. We are seeking a partner who has empathy, who...

I thank the noble Baroness for that question. We are thinking of one organisation. The truth is that we are good at running forests, but we are not very good at running other things, because that is not our skill and expertise. We are seeking a partner who has empathy, who...

My Lords, I certainly did not take the noble Baroness’s intervention as she may have suggested. I believe that it was a very fair point to put, and a fair point that I tried to rebut.

My Lords, I certainly did not take the noble Baroness’s intervention as she may have suggested. I believe that it was a very fair point to put, and a fair point that I tried to rebut.

My Lords, this has been an excellent debate. It is one of the best debates in which I have spoken during my five years in this House. I should not be surprised, because every participant has brought expertise—some of the best expertise in this country. I support the Bill. It...

My Lords, this has been an excellent debate. It is one of the best debates in which I have spoken during my five years in this House. I should not be surprised, because every participant has brought expertise—some of the best expertise in this country. I support the Bill. It...

On what basis the target date of 1995 was identified for the forest enterprise part of the Forestry Commission becoming self financing; & what plans ahve been drawn up & what are implications for staffing levels. (Holding answer 10 July 1992).

On what basis the target date of 1995 was identified for the forest enterprise part of the Forestry Commission becoming self financing; & what plans ahve been drawn up & what are implications for staffing levels. (Holding answer 10 July 1992).

If he will give for each financial year since April 1980, (a) the amount of plantations and plantable land in hectares that has been sold by the Forestry Commission, (b) the proceeds from the sale and (c) the book value of the sale. - Inc table (holding answer 3 June...

If he will give for each financial year since April 1980, (a) the amount of plantations and plantable land in hectares that has been sold by the Forestry Commission, (b) the proceeds from the sale and (c) the book value of the sale. - Inc table (holding answer 3 June...

What are the criteria used by the Forestry Commission when choosing plantation and plantable land for sale; whether particular land has been designated which will not be sold. - Inc ref to Forestry Commission 1981-82 annual report (copy in Library).

What are the criteria used by the Forestry Commission when choosing plantation and plantable land for sale; whether particular land has been designated which will not be sold. - Inc ref to Forestry Commission 1981-82 annual report (copy in Library).

If he will list all the land owned by the Forestry Commission which is currently up for sale, giving the name, amount of land involved and the length of time it has been on the market, in each county or region. - Table given. (Holding answer 15 May 1992).

If he will list all the land owned by the Forestry Commission which is currently up for sale, giving the name, amount of land involved and the length of time it has been on the market, in each county or region. - Table given. (Holding answer 15 May 1992).

What changes he intends to make towards his policy of disposing of Forestry Commission land and woodlands. - Inc ref to 154 c544-5W. (Holding answer 12 May 1992).

What changes he intends to make towards his policy of disposing of Forestry Commission land and woodlands. - Inc ref to 154 c544-5W. (Holding answer 12 May 1992).