Commons Bill [HL]

moved Amendment No. 134:"Page 14, line 37, at end insert—" ““(   )   Commons associations shall have an equal status with official bodies in negotiations or discussions concerning a specific common.”” The noble Lord said: In tabling the amendment, I am concerned that commons associations, when dealing with statutory bodies, need to ensure that they have equal status with those official bodies in discussions, particularly those concerning commons in which they have an interest. In many commons associations, the members feel at a disadvantage in negotiations. Often they more precisely know the situation on the ground than the people with whom they are discussing the matters. Sometimes they are overruled or inadequately informed as a result of decisions made at the time. I am making a plea to give the commons associations more force in negotiations, because they deserve it and they very often contain most of the knowledge concerning specific commons. Without more ado, I beg to move.