§ 20. Mr. Carol Johnsonasked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources if he will state the size of the proposed Countryside Commission; what bodies he proposes to consult before appointing its members; whether its members will be full-time or part-time; and when he will announce the name of the Chairman of the Commission.
§ Mr. WilleyAlthough I have no statement to make at present, I expect to be able to make one before long.
§ Mr. JohnsonIn view of the extra duties and responsibilities which are being placed upon the new Countryside Commission, does not my right hon. Friend think it desirable that in this case there should be a number of full-time members on it? Secondly, as it is essential that the Commission should from the start enjoy the confidence of all people interested in it, will he at least informally consult the open air and amenity bodies as well as those who live and work in the countryside?
§ Mr. WilleyI assure my hon. Friend that I will certainly consider what he has said. For myself, at the moment I think it is more likely to be a part-time body, but certainly I would not rule out the possibility of its being full time. In making appointments to the Commission we will bear in mind the different interests concerned in the countryside.