Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill

Whether or not my noble friend feels able to accept this amendment in the form in which it is presented, I hope that he will warmly receive the ideas behind it. There is a real issue here of the general public, in very general ways, beginning to understand some of the imperative of sustainable development, but not being able to see in specific ways the implications of that or how it can be furthered. The great opportunity presented by the biospheres is in their practical, real living situation. These larger concepts are made relevant to everyday life. The noble Baroness has tabled an imaginative amendment and I hope that my noble friend will feel able to respond warmly to the principle, even if he is not able to accept it.