My Lords, we had an interesting debate on this matter in Committee and I am sure that the noble Baroness would agree that the strength of the argument was powerfully on the side of retaining the Commission for Rural Communities. I thought that at the end of that debate that the noble...

My Lords, we had an interesting debate on this matter in Committee and I am sure that the noble Baroness would agree that the strength of the argument was powerfully on the side of retaining the Commission for Rural Communities. I thought that at the end of that debate that the noble...

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Tyler, and I have tabled a topical Question on this subject which we may get next week.

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Tyler, and I have tabled a topical Question on this subject which we may get next week.

My Lords, I am sure that the noble Lord will agree that he has just given an excellent example of land that had inherent development value. The crucial point about exception sites is that they will never get development value. They are only allowed in by the planners on the basis of...

My Lords, I am sure that the noble Lord will agree that he has just given an excellent example of land that had inherent development value. The crucial point about exception sites is that they will never get development value. They are only allowed in by the planners on the basis of...

My Lords, I should declare an interest as a former trustee of the Rural Housing Trust. I became aware of this situation only within the last 10 days, and it is as serious as the noble Baroness, Lady Byford, and the noble Lord, Lord Hylton, have said. It has already been explained that at the moment...

My Lords, I should declare an interest as a former trustee of the Rural Housing Trust. I became aware of this situation only within the last 10 days, and it is as serious as the noble Baroness, Lady Byford, and the noble Lord, Lord Hylton, have said. It has already been explained that at the moment...

My Lords, we could never see the need for this part of the clause, and we welcome the Government’s recognition of that fact.

My Lords, we could never see the need for this part of the clause, and we welcome the Government’s recognition of that fact.

My Lords, we debated this matter in Committee. It would be a shame, when the Bill becomes an Act, if we sent this extremely important body into the world with a risible title. As I said in Committee—these are true stories—I mentioned this name to someone, who said that it sounded like...

My Lords, we debated this matter in Committee. It would be a shame, when the Bill becomes an Act, if we sent this extremely important body into the world with a risible title. As I said in Committee—these are true stories—I mentioned this name to someone, who said that it sounded like...

The Companion clearly states that the debate should be relevant to the Question before the House. The noble Baroness has just referred again to an amendment which has not been moved. The Question before the House is Amendment No.306A, her amendment, and that is the amendment that she should speak...

The Companion clearly states that the debate should be relevant to the Question before the House. The noble Baroness has just referred again to an amendment which has not been moved. The Question before the House is Amendment No.306A, her amendment, and that is the amendment that she should speak...

I hope that the Minister can clarify a point on Amendment No. 301. As I understand it, the amendment applies only to notifications made by English Nature or the Countryside Council for Wales from the point of commencement onwards. A great number of SSSIs have already been notified in England and Wales. Indeed,...

I hope that the Minister can clarify a point on Amendment No. 301. As I understand it, the amendment applies only to notifications made by English Nature or the Countryside Council for Wales from the point of commencement onwards. A great number of SSSIs have already been notified in England and Wales. Indeed,...

I thank the noble Baroness for giving way. It would be helpful if, when my noble friend the Minister writes about this subject, he could indicate what vehicle the Government would use if they decided to introduce a ban? We are waiting now for the EU decision. Would that then have...

I thank the noble Baroness for giving way. It would be helpful if, when my noble friend the Minister writes about this subject, he could indicate what vehicle the Government would use if they decided to introduce a ban? We are waiting now for the EU decision. Would that then have...

moved Amendment No. 293:"Page 18, line 23, at end insert—" ““(3)   In section 14 of the 1981 Act (introduction of new species etc.), for subsection (1) substitute— ““(1)   Subject to the provisions of this Part, if any person releases or allows to escape into the wild any animal which— (a)   is a native animal, or (b)   is a non-native animal, or...

moved Amendment No. 293:"Page 18, line 23, at end insert—" ““(3)   In section 14 of the 1981 Act (introduction of new species etc.), for subsection (1) substitute— ““(1)   Subject to the provisions of this Part, if any person releases or allows to escape into the wild any animal which— (a)   is a native animal, or (b)   is a non-native animal, or...

I would not have thought that a simple probing amendment would introduce wolves and Japanese knotweed to the debate. I am extremely grateful to the Minister. She said that there would be a consultation that would take between 12 and 15 months and then the Government would decide on an approach. I am sure that...

I would not have thought that a simple probing amendment would introduce wolves and Japanese knotweed to the debate. I am extremely grateful to the Minister. She said that there would be a consultation that would take between 12 and 15 months and then the Government would decide on an approach. I am sure that...

My Lords, it is important to have some guidance from the Government on the point at which a nest becomes an ““ex-nest””, as it were. The briefing we received, as the noble Earl, Lord Peel, pointed out, says that:"““The amendment seeks to address the issue of the length of time a...

My Lords, it is important to have some guidance from the Government on the point at which a nest becomes an ““ex-nest””, as it were. The briefing we received, as the noble Earl, Lord Peel, pointed out, says that:"““The amendment seeks to address the issue of the length of time a...

As the government amendments have not been moved, the Question before the Committee is the noble Baroness’s own amendment. She should not be discussing an amendment that has not been moved.

As the government amendments have not been moved, the Question before the Committee is the noble Baroness’s own amendment. She should not be discussing an amendment that has not been moved.