Commons Bill [HL]

I have tabled Amendment No. 187 in this group. I agree with the noble Duke that these issues are unacceptable among commoners associations—and, in my view, rightly so. Amendment No. 187 addresses subsection (3) of the clause, which states:"““The appropriate national authority may by direction revoke any rule made by a commons association””." We feel either that the subsection should be struck out of the Bill, as is in the case in one of the noble Duke’s amendments, or that its language should be ameliorated somewhat. We want to take out the words,"““may by direction revoke any rule made by a commons association””," and insert instead,"““as a last resort, seek to negotiate a revocation of any rule made by a commons association””." The aim is to seek negotiation and discussion. We feel that the wording of the subsection is draconian towards a commons association and that the language is not acceptable. There must surely be some room for negotiation. Commons associations should at least have the ability to appeal to the national authority. With the current wording, it appears that they will be ridden over roughshod, and that is not acceptable.