Commons Bill [HL]

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that response. I am sure that the amendment will be noted in the other place. However, the Minister’s response, which referred to new burdens and existing ones which originate in the 1965 Act, needs to be quantified. I was very pleased to hear the Minister address the question of pursuing pilot areas and that there will be a review. I trust that, in looking at the pilot areas and recording what goes on, a very clear definition as regards new burdens and existing ones will emerge, and that that will assist Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government to decide what level of funding is appropriate given the new burdens that will result from this legislation. I was very pleased to hear the Minister refer to the association of commons registration officers. There is enthusiasm for that association and I am sure that it will produce a greater degree of cohesion among different commons registration authorities, which vary in their practices and their effectiveness. I hope that that measure will improve the situation over time. In view of what the Minister has said, particularly that the system will be piloted—I would be very interested indeed to see the outcome of that—I beg leave to withdraw Amendment No. 1. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.