Commons Bill [HL]

My Lords, forgive me—blackberries. We have also heard examples of commons at risk from over-grazing, under-grazing and from abuse and encroachment. I believe that everyone thinks that the Bill is essential, 40 years on. If we are to protect our commons for current and future generations, it is long overdue. We can conclude the agenda for reform, which was set all those years ago by the Royal Commission, so as to confer new management powers over commons and give them effective protection in the public interest. Until recently, the debate about commons reform was stymied by concerns about the Royal Commission’s recommendation on public access. However, the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 has now dealt with matters of access, and we can get on with the remaining reforms addressed in the Bill. I am grateful to noble Lords who have taken part. We shall meet again in late October probably and go into more detail on the Bill. I promise the noble Lord, Lord Tyler, that there will be no dreckling—if that is the right expression. On Question, Bill read a second time, and committed to a Grand Committee.