Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill

Indeed it will. The CRC will look at it also within the context of sustainable development. I think the noble Earl agrees that sustainable development is sometimes described as a stool with three legs, of which one is the environmental leg. So the CRC will not be able to put the environment to one side when considering what has and has not been done properly in relation to rural areas. While the commission will not be responsible for pursuing these environmental goals directly, it will need to encourage others to consider such issues in a holistic approach to developing sustainable solutions. Everyone is agreed on the dependency between a high-quality rural environment and a vibrant rural economy. I have spoken for quite long enough. However, I see that the noble Baroness, Lady Byford, wants to intervene.