§ 42. Mr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations have been made to him expressing disapproval of his proposals for the reform of the administrative framework of the national parks.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerSuch representations have been received from voluntary amenity bodies and private individuals.
§ Mr. ClarkDoes the Secretary of State realise that there is a great disparity between the most effective and the least effective national parks and that there is considerable public concern that his proposals would reduce the national parks to the level of the least effective?
§ Mr. WalkerThat is not true. We have already announced a series of proposals recommended to us by the Countryside Commission to improve and strengthen the administration of national parks. I shall try to bring forward legislation to improve the present administrative set-up and to see that the national parks are better staffed than in the past and that the lessons from the best are applied to the worst.