§ 11. Mr. Carol Johnsonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects publication of all the county definitive footpath maps provided for under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949, to be completed.
§ Mr. MacCollMy right hon. Friend cannot say when these maps will all be completed. The rate of progress depends largely on the objections raised and the number of council staff available for the work. Over three-quarters of the county councils now have definitive maps for the whole or part of their areas.
§ Mr. JohnsonAs this process has already taken three times as long as the period envisaged in the Act, will my hon. Friend's right hon. Friend use his influence and powers to get this completed as soon as possible?
§ Mr. MacCollI recognise my hon. Friend's particular interest in this matter. I would welcome any advice and help which he could give us about it. But, as at present advised, my right hon. Friend thinks it better not to overload quarter sessions with many appeals and have badly prepared plans before the final decisions are reached.