§ 39. Mr. Hannanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what areas have been designated as national parks; in what year they were so designated; and what proposals he has to establish facilities for recreation in them.
§ Mr. NobleIn 1948 five areas of high amenity were made subject to directions under the Town and Country Planning Act. These directions require local authorities to refer to me all applications for planning permission in these areas. In June 1962 I asked local planning authorities to survey and define in their development plans areas of great landscape value and to make proposals for recreational and tourist facilities. As the hon. Member will be aware, it has not been found necessary in Scotland to designate national parks in the English sense.
§ Mr. HannanAs this Act was passed in 1949, does the Secretary of State not feel a sense of shame that all these years have passed without any action being taken by him to provide such facilities? Is there not an added sense of urgency in this matter in that no mention was 364 made of it in the recent White Paper, but it becomes now almost a necessity in view of the imminence of the General Election when so many hon. Members opposite will be put out to grass?
§ Mr. NobleI have no sense of shame about this at all. Thirty of out 31 counties and 23 out of 26 Scottish burghs have made interim surveys. The ball is to some extent at their feet, but in the meantime Scotland has better access to lovely country than any other part of the United Kingdom.