Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill

I thank all noble Lords who have taken part in the debate. I wonder whether the historians among us can tell us whether this is the largest first group of amendments ever in Committee; it must be close to it. My reply is intended to be brief. That does not mean for a moment that I do not accept that there is genuine feeling about the name. I say right at the start that of course I will take the matter back and look at it again but I have to say that I am not hopeful that I will return to this House with a changed name. We believe that Natural England, together with what is described as its strapline—““for people, places and nature””—sums up what the agency is to be about: conserving and enhancing for us all to enjoy now and in future the national treasure that is England’s natural environment. The name was proposed by the chairmen of the three predecessor organisations—I am reminded by the noble Baroness that they are still in being—the Countryside Agency, English Nature and the Rural Development Service, following consultation with the staff of those organisations and their partners and has their support. That final point is important at a time of substantial change for all those working in those organisations. There are no established rules about whether the names of non-departmental public bodies should include the words commission, agency, council or executive in their title. Although there is a tendency for commissions to be mainly advisory, rather than executive bodies, such as Natural England is due to become, even that simple distinction has not been applied consistently. We favour the simplicity of the expression ““Natural England”” for two reasons. First, the many customers and organisations with which it deals will certainly shorten its title to Natural England, whatever formal name it is given in statute. There is a good argument for aligning its legal title with the name by which is known. Secondly—I do not know whether this reason that has crossed the minds of Members of the Committee—it may help people to position it in relation to two important sister organisations: English Heritage and Sport England. Having made his brief remarks, I repeat that I will go away, talk about and reconsider the matter, but with no promise that we will change our minds.