Clause 57 - Members of National Park Authorities
Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill
9:00 am
Eric Forth (Bromley and Chislehurst, Conservative)
With this it will be convenient to discuss the following amendments:
No. 82, in clause 57, page 22, line 18, leave out ‘and’.
No. 83, in clause 57, page 22, line 19, at end insert—
‘and
(c)directly elected members,’.
No. 84, in clause 57, page 23, line 10, at end insert—
‘(5A)After paragraph 3 insert—
“Directly elected members 3A(1)The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument make provision for and in connection with the election of directly elected members of National Park authorities. (2)Regulations under sub-paragraph (1) are subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.”.’. Mr. Williams: I have pleasure in speaking to the amendment. Only my name appears on the amendments in this group, but I have all-party support for them. As the Bill progresses, I have no doubt that this matter will be raised again because there is real concern about the composition of national park committees. Hon. Members will agree that to some extent all forms of government are unpopular because unpopular decisions must be made from time to time and national parks are not immune from that. National parks are special-purpose local authorities and one expects local authorities to be directly accountable through a democratic process. That is one thing that national parks do not have and from time to time it creates resentment among the people who live in national parks.
3A(1)The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument make provision for and in connection with the election of directly elected members of National Park authorities.
(2)Regulations under sub-paragraph (1) are subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.”.’.