HC Deb 02 February 1944 vol 396 cc1265-6
37. Lady Apsley

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he is yet in a position to state what action he proposes to take to implement the proposals in the Scott Committee's Report, that provision should be made for including bridle paths in planning maps; that wherever possible such paths should be put on the field side of hedges rather than on the road side; and that the marking, supervision and upkeep of bridle paths should be a statutory obligation on the part of the local authorities.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Town and Country Planning (Mr. Henry Strauss)

These recommendations are under consideration, but I cannot at present add to the statement which my right hon. Friend made on 30th November, 1943, in answer to the hon. and gallant Member for Penryn and Falmouth (Major Petherick), of which I am sending the Noble Lady a copy.

Mr. Edmund Harvey

Is the Minister taking any steps to get local authorities to mark bridle paths and footpaths in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee?

Lady Apsley

Will the Minister bear in mind the large number of paths which have had to be closed because of operations?

Mr. Strauss

Attention has been given to these matters, which are important. I am afraid I cannot add to the detailed statement to which I referred in my original answer, but perhaps hon. Members will look at what is said at the beginning of paragraph 12.

Mr. Sorensen

Is the Minister not aware that some county councils and local authorities have been trying very carefully to preserve all bridle paths in their area, and cannot the same procedure be adopted by all local authorities?

Mr. Strauss

I cannot answer detailed Questions without notice, but I agree that a great deal of work of that kind has been done by many local authorities.

Mr. Sorensen

Could not the Minister recommend the same principle to all local authorities?