§ 19. Mr. Michael Shawasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many country parks were approved in the third quarter of 1971.
§ Mr. Graham PageFour country parks were approved for grant by my right hon. Friend during this period.
§ Mr. ShawIs my hon. Friend satisfied that local authorities are doing enough to provide parks and other zones for amenity and recreational facilities?
§ Mr. PageA lot more can be done. After all, there is a 75 per cent. Exchequer grant for local authorities for approved schemes. Up to date, there are 43 local authority schemes, and I hope that they can go much faster. There are 135 projects under consideration by the Countryside Commission of my Department, and I think that we shall see quicker progress in future.
§ Mr. David ClarkDoes the Minister realise that this niggardly figure of four represents a slow down in the number of country parks created? For example, in the first quarter of 1971 10 country parks were created, but in the third quarter only four were created. What will the Minister do about this?
§ Mr. PageThe figure of four is not representative. As I said, there are 135 under consideration. In 1971, the total number of country parks approved for 1378 grant by my right hon. Friend was 26, which compares well with 11 in 1970. I am disappointed with the figure of four but it is not representative of the whole system.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopCan the Minister say how many of these proposals are concerned with reclaimed land, which offers an interesting possibility for development in this respect?
§ Mr. PageI should like the hon. Gentleman to put down a Question about that so that I may study it.