Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill

I certainly undertake to reflect on the hon. Gentleman’s point. We will look with great care into the issue. I fully understand his point and I am conscious of the great contribution that many local people have made to the Peak District and other national parks. The new agency that the Bill seeks to set up will not be an arid, inward-looking body. Natural England will promote access and open-air recreation to help people to reconnect with our natural environment, to enjoy it, respect it and understand it and to make the health and well-being benefits of our environment available to all. The agency will work with partners at the national, regional and local level, reducing bureaucracy and duplication by providing a single source for its services rather than the present three sources, and it will also bring savings for the taxpayer.