What steps they are taking to fulfil the United   Kingdom’s obligations under the statutory framework of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, in particular subsection 3.

What steps they are taking to fulfil the United   Kingdom’s obligations under the statutory framework of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, in particular subsection 3.

I wonder whether I am the only member of the Committee speaking in the debate who is not on one local national park body or another. I have no such interest to declare although my home is in a national park, in the Lake District. What is it that we expect of the...

I wonder whether I am the only member of the Committee speaking in the debate who is not on one local national park body or another. I have no such interest to declare although my home is in a national park, in the Lake District. What is it that we expect of the...

moved Amendment No. 307:"Page 22, line 28, leave out subsection (2) and insert—" ““(   )   In paragaph 1, for sub-paragraphs (2) to (6) (constitution of National Park authorities) substitute— ““(2)   A National Park authority shall consist of an appropriate balance of national and local members, consisting of— (a)   a specified number of directly elected members who live or...

moved Amendment No. 307:"Page 22, line 28, leave out subsection (2) and insert—" ““(   )   In paragaph 1, for sub-paragraphs (2) to (6) (constitution of National Park authorities) substitute— ““(2)   A National Park authority shall consist of an appropriate balance of national and local members, consisting of— (a)   a specified number of directly elected members who live or...

I rise briefly to comment on one or two matters. We on these Benches are also concerned about the wide discretion that this government amendment proposes. We recognise and accept the point made by the noble Lord, Lord Judd, that they are national parks. However, I think that having a 25 per cent proportion seems...

I rise briefly to comment on one or two matters. We on these Benches are also concerned about the wide discretion that this government amendment proposes. We recognise and accept the point made by the noble Lord, Lord Judd, that they are national parks. However, I think that having a 25 per cent proportion seems...

I apologise to the Committee because I did not hear the opening remarks of the noble Baroness, but I did come in at the tail end of her speech. I am bound to say that on balance I prefer the amendment of the noble Lords, Lord Dubs and Lord Judd, to that of the noble Baroness, merely...

I apologise to the Committee because I did not hear the opening remarks of the noble Baroness, but I did come in at the tail end of her speech. I am bound to say that on balance I prefer the amendment of the noble Lords, Lord Dubs and Lord Judd, to that of the noble Baroness, merely...

Just to clear that up, I mean directly elected to the park authority, like to any other authority.

Just to clear that up, I mean directly elected to the park authority, like to any other authority.

That slightly changes my perspective. The idea of having directly elected members to the park authority is very interesting. It considerably alters the concept of local democracy, particularly in view of the fact that there would be an immense potential for conflict between the elected members of the park authority...

That slightly changes my perspective. The idea of having directly elected members to the park authority is very interesting. It considerably alters the concept of local democracy, particularly in view of the fact that there would be an immense potential for conflict between the elected members of the park authority...

It always upsets me when I find myself not in total agreement with the noble Baroness, Lady Miller. Wherever we sit in this House, we have the utmost regard for her dedication and commitment to the issues that we discussing. Frankly, I am bemused by part of her proposal. Naturally, I am delighted that...

It always upsets me when I find myself not in total agreement with the noble Baroness, Lady Miller. Wherever we sit in this House, we have the utmost regard for her dedication and commitment to the issues that we discussing. Frankly, I am bemused by part of her proposal. Naturally, I am delighted that...

The Minister can probably explain the previous legislation better than I can, but my understanding of the Environment Act 1995 is that the agency shall consist of not fewer than eight or more than 15 members, of whom three shall be appointed by the Minister and the others by the Secretary of State. I am not...

The Minister can probably explain the previous legislation better than I can, but my understanding of the Environment Act 1995 is that the agency shall consist of not fewer than eight or more than 15 members, of whom three shall be appointed by the Minister and the others by the Secretary of State. I am not...

I apologise to the noble Lord, Lord Dubs, for not being in the Chamber when he moved his amendment. I have read it with interest and I would be curious to know why he thinks that it is appropriate for the Secretary of State to be responsible for appointing parish members. I ought to know...

I apologise to the noble Lord, Lord Dubs, for not being in the Chamber when he moved his amendment. I have read it with interest and I would be curious to know why he thinks that it is appropriate for the Secretary of State to be responsible for appointing parish members. I ought to know...

I thank the Minister for his reply, which he will not be surprised to discover I find slightly disappointing. I am sure that he would agree that, back before women were given the vote, whether they should do so was probably called a ““well worn issue”” when it was debated time and again....

I thank the Minister for his reply, which he will not be surprised to discover I find slightly disappointing. I am sure that he would agree that, back before women were given the vote, whether they should do so was probably called a ““well worn issue”” when it was debated time and again....

On that issue, the advice that I have received is that it is always the Secretary of State who appoints the nominees from the parish councils; he or she will do that in all cases. The two amendments are on an interesting subject. I garner three general principles raised by them, and...

On that issue, the advice that I have received is that it is always the Secretary of State who appoints the nominees from the parish councils; he or she will do that in all cases. The two amendments are on an interesting subject. I garner three general principles raised by them, and...

I should correct what I said; I am not sure that I got it right when I answered the noble Earl’s question about parish councils. I ought to withdraw what I said and leave it to the Minister to put the Committee right.

I should correct what I said; I am not sure that I got it right when I answered the noble Earl’s question about parish councils. I ought to withdraw what I said and leave it to the Minister to put the Committee right.

I come from Somerset where we have one national park, shared with Devon, and a number of areas of outstanding natural beauty. The interests of the residents of national parks are more important than those of visitors to national parks; after all, most of the residents live there all 12 months of the...

I come from Somerset where we have one national park, shared with Devon, and a number of areas of outstanding natural beauty. The interests of the residents of national parks are more important than those of visitors to national parks; after all, most of the residents live there all 12 months of the...

Perhaps I may just entreat my noble friend not to be quite as absolute as he sounded in his rejection of these amendments, and to go away and ponder some of the merit which they represent. In my view it would be good if he could come back with a constructive...

Perhaps I may just entreat my noble friend not to be quite as absolute as he sounded in his rejection of these amendments, and to go away and ponder some of the merit which they represent. In my view it would be good if he could come back with a constructive...

Apparently, the definition of ““significant”” is still a problem so far as we are concerned. It was not placed in the 1949 Act and has been causing difficulties within the national parks. For the past seven years I have been trying to persuade the Government to define ““significant”” wherever it occurs in a...

Apparently, the definition of ““significant”” is still a problem so far as we are concerned. It was not placed in the 1949 Act and has been causing difficulties within the national parks. For the past seven years I have been trying to persuade the Government to define ““significant”” wherever it occurs in a...

The hour of the night makes me interrupt the noble Baroness. I am interested in her comparison with the right of women to vote—particularly as my great aunt was Mrs Pankhurst, so I am not sure that I relish the comparison.

The hour of the night makes me interrupt the noble Baroness. I am interested in her comparison with the right of women to vote—particularly as my great aunt was Mrs Pankhurst, so I am not sure that I relish the comparison.

That is probably—in fact, definitely—one to the Minister. But the noble Lord, Lord Hylton, made the point that the views of residents of the park are important. The duality the Minister mentioned is absolutely recognised in my amendment by the 25 per cent proportion that shall be national members. Given the wide-ranging remit...

That is probably—in fact, definitely—one to the Minister. But the noble Lord, Lord Hylton, made the point that the views of residents of the park are important. The duality the Minister mentioned is absolutely recognised in my amendment by the 25 per cent proportion that shall be national members. Given the wide-ranging remit...

Perhaps I may put in a brief word on this. I think that my noble friend would agree that the recent Defra review stated that the constraint does not appear to have presented serious difficulties. I believe that the review also said that provided the socio-economic duty continues to be in support of...

Perhaps I may put in a brief word on this. I think that my noble friend would agree that the recent Defra review stated that the constraint does not appear to have presented serious difficulties. I believe that the review also said that provided the socio-economic duty continues to be in support of...

My Lords, I am grateful for the Minister’s response, but I would urge him and his colleagues to bear in mind that parts and in some cases maybe even the majority of the area of a given national park are already sparsely inhabited. Moreover, we know that employment in agriculture continues to...

My Lords, I am grateful for the Minister’s response, but I would urge him and his colleagues to bear in mind that parts and in some cases maybe even the majority of the area of a given national park are already sparsely inhabited. Moreover, we know that employment in agriculture continues to...