§ 33. Mr. Anthony Greenwoodasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the average period which elapses between the hearing of representations and objections in respect of proposals to close public footpaths and the announcement of his decision.
§ Mr. WatkinsonA local inquiry is not often necessary in these cases. Circumstances vary so greatly that no useful average period between hearing and decision can be given. The length of that interval depends on the complexities of the case and, in particular, whether the merits of different substitute routes have to be investigated.
§ Mr. GreenwoodIs the Minister aware that the question relates, not to the amount of time taken in arriving at a decision, but the amount of time taken in announcing the decision after it is reached? Is he aware that according to the Commons, Open Spaces and Footpaths Preservation Society, the average length of time taken in making the decision on appeals to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government is only three months, but that in the case of appeals to his Department it is much longer and often prejudices the future of the footpath concerned?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI will certainly have a look at that point.