Energy and Climate Change and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

I fundamentally disagree with the right hon. Gentleman's accusation of complacency, because that is not what my right hon. Friend said. He said that he was in favour of maximum openness, and that is a view that I entirely share. The hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs raised the subject of wildlife corridors. That is what the Lawton commission, which I have just established, will consider. Having completed the original list of national parks—I shall return to that in a moment—and having passed the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, which is hugely significant for the coherence of the protection of our biodiversity, we do indeed need to look at ways in which we can connect those developments more effectively. As the hon. Gentleman spoke, I felt that what he was saying reflected the work that my colleagues and I have already done. As he will know, one of our latest actions has been to designate the South Downs the last of the national parks. I was sorry that he described that as the wrong decision, and said that it had been rushed for political reasons. I would simply point out as a matter of historical accuracy that the South Downs national park was first proposed 62 years ago. That hardly constitutes a rush. What it shows is that this party—for it was Attlee's Government who did it—has been on the case for 60 years in protecting our biodiversity. We celebrate the park's 60th anniversary this year. The Gracious Speech shows that we are still on the case, and I commend it to the House. The debate stood adjourned (Standing Order No. 9(3)). Ordered, That the debate be resumed tomorrow.