Countryside and Rights of Way Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 3:30 pm on 1 November 2000.

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Photo of The Earl of Caithness The Earl of Caithness Conservative 3:30, 1 November 2000

My Lords, in moving the amendment, I speak also to Amendments Nos. 6 and 13.

On many occasions in another place and in this House the Government have said often that they do not wish to include in the definition, land that is used for the making of hay and silage: but that point is not clear in the Bill. The amendment seeks to clarify the position so that what has been said by Ministers is on the face of the Bill.

I have sought to be helpful to the Government and have given them an alternative in Amendments Nos. 6 and 13. The amendment provides that,

"land habitually used for the making of hay, silage or haylage", would be listed in Schedule 1 as excepted land. I have used the word "habitually" because it is used in government Amendment No. 17 on training gallops. Amendment No. 13 makes clear that this excepted land would not be available for access for the period 1st March to 30th September when hay and silage is being made, but would be available from the period October to February.

I hope that the Government and I are in tune. It is an aim we both wish to achieve. I have given the Government two alternatives. I beg to move.