Lord Buxton of Alsa: My Lords, I should like to thank noble Lords on all sides of the House who have spoken in this debate. Their views were expressed with such eloquence and wisdom that I do not want to demean them by repeating anything that has been said. I look forward to reading the debate in Hansard. However, I am deeply disappointed with the response from both the noble Baroness, Lady Young, who is an old...
Lord Buxton of Alsa: My Lords, I apologise sincerely to the noble Baroness for intervening. I remind her that I have said twice that all of that is agreed. There is no question that it is a crime to make money from the sale of these birds. I refer only to people in the country who do a different job but who, unfortunately, may get into serious trouble. Heavy fines are available. However, they do not have to leave...
Lord Buxton of Alsa: moved Amendment No. 226: Page 136, line 44, leave out ("subsection") and insert ("subsections (2) and").
Lord Buxton of Alsa: My Lords, in moving this amendment, I wish to speak also to Amendments Nos. 227 and 228. I express my regret at not having moved this amendment in Committee. On the only occasion when that arose, I had to leave the House before midnight. I also declare an interest. I have had 50 years' association with English Nature, formerly the Nature Conservancy Council for England. I have been a member...
Lord Buxton of Alsa: I also support the amendment, which I believe would have solved a real life drama in which I was involved last month, about which I wrote to the Minister. There is a heritage walk, which is a glorified footpath, right through the middle of my local nature reserve. To my amazement, I heard a noise like thunder which was created by three young men on motorcycles on a proper footpath which was...
Lord Buxton of Alsa: My Lords, I shall not say everything that I was going to say because it has already been said and said very eloquently. I want to talk about custodial sentences. First, perhaps I may say that I am not against organised access and have organised it very successfully at home, where I have wetlands and marshes in a reserve. I have an informal relationship with English Nature, which is nearby,...