Member

Under the clauses of the Bill, Natural England will be given a vast monopoly over the provision of environmental protection throughout the country. This is really without protections on prices, the type of land purchased and the precluding actions of Natural England when entering and surveying a property. The fact that it is unlikely that the Secretary of State would permit Natural England to buy someone’s garden or allotment is not really enough; it needs to be in the Bill. That protection is really not very much to ask for. So I am afraid that I expect that we will return to this subject on Report but, in the meantime, I withdraw my amendment.