Commons Bill [HL]

My Lords, unless inspiration comes to me, the noble Lord, Lord Plumb, is using his longer experience, and greater skill than I possess, to draw in issues which are rather wide of the point of this government amendment. If a statutory association is sought, it is likely that the voluntary association would be seeking it. It is extremely unlikely, if a voluntary association exists, that it would not be involved in the process, because it will inevitably consist of the people with the interest—as defined by this government amendment—in the land concerned. On the narrow point of this amendment, therefore, I can reassure the noble Lord. I will look at the slightly broader point of this amendment and, if necessary, write to the noble Lord if he has raised new points. I am sure, however, that he would not expect me to go into them at Third Reading.