§ 7. Mr. Lamondasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what reply he has sent to Oldham County Borough's letter of 11th April requesting the assistance of his Department to establish a countryside park at Oldham Edge.
§ Mr. Graham PageOldham County Borough Council has been told that derelict land reclamation grant would be available. I am sending to the hon. Member a copy of the letter which has been sent to the council.
§ Mr. LamondIs the hon. Gentleman aware that I welcome that reply which is extremely encouraging and I hope he will continue the policy of encouraging co-operation by local authorities to provide much-needed open-air recreational facilities in densely populated areas such as south-east Lancashire?
§ Mr. PageThe difficulty in this case was that the application was for a countryside park and the area was not in the countryside. Nevertheless, the derelict land grant will take its place.