Commons Bill [Lords]

I accept what the Minister says about the clause being the option of last resort. I hope that many of the agricultural problems will be sorted out by the commons councils, so the opportunity for the national authority to exercise the powers would be extremely rare and remote. There are hound trails in my constituency, too. When I attended the Pont ar Elan show a week ago last Saturday, it was a privilege to see not only hound trails but also dog racing on the common; but it was taking place with the express permission of the commoners’ association. Our amendment would address only activities that were undertaken against the express will of commoners’ associations, but as I would not want the Minister’s weekends disturbed by people ringing up to report informal dog racing, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Amendments made: No. 81, in page 27, line 8, leave out ‘association' and insert ‘council'. No. 82, in page 27, line 18, leave out ‘association' and insert ‘council'.—[Mr. Watts.]