§ 28. Mr. Skeffingtonasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty why, for more than 18 months, his Department has stopped-up the bridle-way across Funtington Common, and failed to provide an alternative way as required by Statute.
§ Mr. C. Ian Orr-EwingAn alternative way agreed with the local planning authorities was specified in the order closing the path. There were delays, however, because the owner of the land was unwilling to sell and whilst we were considering using compulsory purchase procedure the closing order had to be extended. I am pleased to say that the owner of the land is now agreeable to a sale and the alternative path should be provided well within the two-year extension period.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonMay I say that I welcome the latter part of that information, but is it not a fact that, if this were being done in any other body, very much quicker action would have been taken and enforced? I hope that this will not happen again.
§ Mr. Orr-EwingI know that the House is jealous about public footpaths and bridle paths, but there is also the point about the rights of a private owner. Rather than use the sledgehammer of compulsory purchase, we went on negotiating. I am very glad that the private owner has now agreed to sell us the land.