Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]

My Lords, I welcome very much what my noble friend has done with Clause 80. As we have heard again, the commitment of my noble friend is exemplary in terms of how important she sees the parks and their interests to be. I am sorry that, with the force of her argument and with her expert and excellent officials, she has not been able to find a wording to put in the Bill all that she has said powerfully and well today. However, it would be perverse to question the commitment of the Government at this stage. This is an opportunity missed and I wish that I had heard the Conservative Opposition align themselves as strongly with the points made by the Minister as I believe that they had the opportunity to do. I hope that there is no significance in that. In these circumstances, and taking into account the very specific undertaking that in one way or another there will be a national park representative on each leaders’ board, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment 51 withdrawn. Clause 71 : Community involvement Amendment 52 not moved. Clause 77 : Implementation Amendment 53 not moved.