Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill

I cannot resist this. The noble Baroness, Lady Farrington, referred to our mutual local government experience. All local government is a constant battle between conflicting interests. Nature conservation would simply be another interest to be taken into account, as public authorities already have to deal with and decide between conflicting interests. That is an entirely normal state, and the Minister—with the greatest deference—is, as far as I can see, simply raising a hare, for the sake of persuading us to chase it.