§ 1. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources how many members of the National Parks Commission have served for two years or more; and how many have practical experience of farming or dealing with questions relating to the land.
§ The Minister of Land and Natural Resources (Mr. Frederick Willey)Two members have served two years or more. Four have practical experience as farmers or landowners; and two others are experienced in questions of rural land use.
§ Mr. DigbyIs this not really a rather small proportion of country people, if the countryside is to have confidence in the Commission? Why were such sweeping changes made, in rather doubtful circumstances even of discourtesy, if they were only to put more townsmen in and to turn out countrymen?
§ Mr. WilleyI can assure the hon. Gentleman that he is wrong about this. No discourtesy was intended and no discourtesy was felt over the representation. On the contrary, this is a very substantial representation on the Commission, which, of course, is smaller than it was previously.