§ 17. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources what action he proposes to take to assist the National Parks Commission in carrying out its duties under the National Parks Act.
§ Mr. WilleyI am glad to be able to tell my hon. Friend that an increase in the staff of the National Parks Commission has been authorised and the first of the new staff are already at work. They will help to speed up the present work of the Commission. I am also considering what increase should be made in the Commission's technical planning staff.
I have asked my officials to review the financial procedures to see whether they can be simplified so as to help the National Parks Commission and the Park Planning Authorities.
The National Parks information services have been increased and any further proposals which the National Parks Commission may put forward will be sympathetically considered.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopWhile welcoming very much my right hon. Friend's statement about the increase in staff, may I ask whether he can do anything to press forward the work of establishing national park centres in each of our National 11 Parks? Does he not agree that the biggest help would be to get on with a revision of the National Parks Act?
§ Mr. WilleyYes. I am in touch with the National Parks Commission and we are prepared to give them any assistance that we can give. But the greater issue is that which my hon. Friend mentioned—a new countryside policy. That I shall, hope, present very shortly.