HC Deb 01 March 1966 vol 725 c1081
42. Mr. James Johnson

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that the East Riding County Council has not completed the draft map stage of the footpath survey; and whether he will now use his default powers under Section 37 of the National Parks Act 1949.

Mr. MacColl

My right hon. Friend is considering whether to make a direction requiring the county council to prepare a provisional map and he is in correspondence with the Council about this.

Mr. Johnson

Is the Minister aware that east Yorkshire is the only county which has not yet completed its survey? Is not action imperative, particularly in view of the White Paper issued yesterday by the Minister of Land and Natural Resources about access to the countryside?

Mr. MacColl

My right hon. Friend shares the concern of my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull, West (Mr. James Johnson) that there has been slowness in progress. That is why we are now in consultation with the county council on procedure, before issuing a directive, if necessary.