HC Deb 24 October 1950 vol 478 c2694
39. Mr. Keeling

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning why the National Parks Commission was not represented at his public inquiry about the War Office proposal to acquire important parts of the Brecon Beacons.

The Minister of Town and Country Planning (Mr. Dalton)

Because the Commission decided in this case to express the views in a letter to the chairman of the inquiry.

Mr. Keeling

Is not it desirable that, as a general rule, the National Parks Commission should be represented at the hearing of proposals to acquire land in one of these proposed parks?

Mr. Dalton

This is a matter which I must leave to their discretion in particular cases. Evidently they cannot be represented at all inquiries. In this case, which they recognise as important, a letter was sent and read aloud at the inquiry, following a visit by a member of the Commission to the ground in question.