Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill

I did not intend to take part in the debate because I got the Minister’s letter, but I want to support the noble Lord, Lord Judd—contrary-wise to the noble Lord, Lord Dixon-Smith. The looseness was already in the 1949 Act. The Lake District is in the part of the world in which the noble Lord, Lord Judd, and I live. I also declare an interest as vice chairman, or vice-president—I cannot remember which—of the Council for National Parks. In the Lake District, Windermere would fail the merit test, as would Ambleside, Hawkshead, Coniston, Keswick, Borrowdale. Penrith is outside, so it does not matter, but practically every village in the Lake District would fail. That shows that the merit case does not fit. It is right that the Government are paying considerable attention to sorting it out. It is a pity we cannot get it reversed in the courts beforehand, as that would be much easier. Nevertheless, I understand the Government’s predicament.