HC Deb 16 April 1975 vol 890 cc422-3
10. Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce Her Majesty's Government's plans to implement the recommendations of Lord Sand-ford's Committee on the National Parks.

Mr. Denis Howell

I hope to announce the Government's conclusions before the Summer Recess.

Mr. Bennett

Does my hon. Friend appreciate the grave concern of all those concerned with the national parks at the very long delays that have resulted before any announcement can be made? Will he also guarantee that there will be an opportunity to debate the recommendations at least before the Summer Recess?

Mr. Howell

I should certainly welcome any debate, but that, unfortunately, is not a matter for me, although it can be pursued by my hon. Friend through the usual channels. We received this report about a year ago. It involved more than 100 recommendations. They were very substantial and had to be discussed with all the amenity interests—the ramblers, people in the national parks, farmers, local authorities and so on. That process has inevitably taken a long time. On administration, we have again done a great deal. There is now a statutory national park officer for each park and parks are required to prepare and publish plans. We have done a lot in the meantime. But the substantial part of the report is very important indeed. We shall be making our pronouncements on it as soon as we can, and certainly before the Summer Recess.

Mr. Rossi

May I help the Minister? We have had a debate in the House on the Sandford Report, at the same time as we debated the Nugent Report. We discussed these matters and there was a promise of early implementation, particularly on aspects which did not require a great deal of public expenditure and which did not require legislation—of which there are innumerable examples. One is very disappointed that one now has to wait until the summer before these matters can be implemented.

Mr. Howell

The hon. Gentleman may be disappointed, but I assure him that in this case his disappointment will be short-lived.