HC Deb 07 March 1966 vol 725 cc1692-3
9. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources whether he will take steps to promote research into recreational needs and the resources available to meet them without waiting for the establishment of the Countryside Commission.

Mr. Skeffington

I hope that local authorities will now review their recreational needs and will evolve proposals for meeting them. Certain qualitative research is already being carried out by my right hon. Friend's Department, with the help of the Advisory Committee on Natural Resources.

Mr. Blenkinsop

While welcoming my hon. Friend's Answer, may I ask him if he will follow this matter up, possibly through the newly established Council for Social Research and, indeed, through the Sports Council? We know extraordinarily little about this.

Mr. Skeffington

Yes. One of the difficulties facing us in this work, as in other work, was the almost complete absence of data. In addition to the studies I have mentioned by the Advisory Committee, investigations into certain aspects are being made by the Department of Economic Affairs, by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, and by the tourist associations. We shall be in contact with all these bodies and shall try to assist wherever possible.

10. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources whether he will initiate regional and local discussions between user and resource interests in land-and water-based recreation in the countryside to help overcome conflicting claims and to establish major needs.

Mr. Skeffington

There will certainly need to be extensive discussions at all levels and between different interests in working out the proposals which were announced in the recent White Paper on Leisure, in the Countryside. The initiative for local discussions will primarily lie with the interests concerned, but my right hon. Friend will be ready to assist in arranging them with the help of the Countryside Commission, if this appears to be necessary.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Is my hon. Friend aware that the White Paper proposals are welcomed very warmly? In order to give effect to them, many of us are very anxious that these discussions should start straight away. There should not be any hold-up. If my hon. Friend's Department could help to initiate discussions, we would welcome this very much.

Mr. Skeffington

My right hon. Friend is very gratified at the reception of the proposals in the White Paper. As the White Paper itself stresses, there are a great many things which can be done, even at this stage, without waiting for legislation which has to follow in certain instances. We will bear my hon. Friend's point very much in mind.