§ 23. Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he now expects the sections of the Wildlife and Countryside Act relating to footpaths to come into effect.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneMy right hon. Friend expects to bring into force the sections concerning definitive maps of public rights of way and public path orders by the autumn of this year.
§ Mr. BennettWill the Minister give a guarantee that in the transition from the old to the new regulations no public rights of way will be lost?
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI cannot give any guarantees or promises. It is well known that we are trying to bring these sections into force by the end of the year. I am sorry that it is taking a little longer than we anticipated.