HC Deb 19 July 1955 vol 544 c195
26. Mr. P. Roberts

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will use his powers under Section 3 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949, to issue an instruction to the Commission to prohibit the creation of motor car and cycle racing tracks in the Peak National Park.

The Minister of Housing and Local Government (Mr. Duncan Sandys)

The National Parks Commission has no power to prohibit such a project.

Mr. Roberts

Would not the Minister agree, however, that, although the motor industry needs this racing for experimental purposes, it is not really desirable in the public interest that public roads in national parks should be used for this purpose?

Mr. Sandys

I do not want to express any view on the merits of the scheme. All I would say is that if the Derbyshire County Council decides to proceed with this scheme it will, I understand, seek the necessary powers by means of a Private Bill, in which case Parliament will, of course, have full opportunity to examine the issues involved.