Commons Bill [HL]

moved Amendment No. 4:"Page 5, line 13, leave out paragraphs (a) and (b)." The noble Lord said: My Lords, severance affects rights of common and is registered in the register of common land. The context of the amendment is that rights of common can be severed permanently and, as the Bill states, transferred to Natural England, the Countryside Council for Wales or any commons association. The amendment would take out Natural England and the Countryside Council for Wales. The reason for that is that public money could be used to purchase the grazing rights under paragraphs (a) and (b). Indeed, the commons association may be financially unable to compete in that situation, even though land to be severed is a crucial part of the grazing viability of the common. It could be an awkward situation. If land is to be severed permanently, it should be transferred to either a voluntary or statutory commons association to maintain the viability of the commons and commoners, who in any case will be managing the land—no doubt with environmental and conservation considerations—by the two bodies mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b). I beg to move.