New Clause 4
Commons Bill [Lords]
2:45 pm
Elfyn Llwyd (Parliamentary Leader; Meirionnydd Nant Conwy, Plaid Cymru)
The argument put forward by the hon. Gentleman is perfectly reasonable. I do not come under the auspices of Natural England, but in my humble opinion, if the duty of promotion will fall on Natural England’s shoulders, it will be easier for it to promote movement if we have a new name for the commons bodies. In all sincerity, I believe that the name “commons association” is no good. It will create difficulties and it will make promotion difficult. We had a discussion on Tuesday when the Minister said that he would think about it. Whether we adopt the term commons council or another name is an important issue. It is not beyond the ken of all of us to find a word. Councils might be a proper name—I do not know—but associations in that context is not; it is a recipe for disaster and will not assist the Minister’s hopes in promoting anything.