Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill

Given the importance of national parks and the difference between how each area of land has been treated historically in the south-west, for example—Exmoor became a national park while the Mendips did not—even under the withdrawn government criteria there would have been a debate. Even under Amendment No. 306A there would have been a debate. There is always a long public inquiry and plenty of consultation. We should not make a mountain out of a molehill although it is important that we get it as right as we can. I declare the same interest as a vice president of the Council for National Parks. I am most concerned that the importance of national parks is at the forefront of our minds. I believe that the Government are correct to give some thought to the issue. I acknowledge that the Minister tried to telephone me, but I was coming back from seeing the parrots, so I was not at my desk. I do not believe that the noble Baroness’s amendment is correct because I am unhappy with the phrase,"““high degree of relative naturalness””," as we then get into discussions of what is relative and so on. The Government were nearly there in their amendment, and I hope that we can discuss it with better humour on Report. I am sure that some consultation between now and then will be very helpful.