§ 5. Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the sections of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 relating to footpaths to come into operation.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneMy right hon. Friend expects to bring the rights of way provisions into operation early in the new year.
§ Mr. BennettWill the Minister give us an assurance that there will be sufficient staff, locally and nationally, to carry out the footpath provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act? In the past 10 years most local authorities and the Government have not had sufficient staff to carry out their responsibilities.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneNo, I cannot give that guarantee. The hon. Gentleman is aware of the guidelines and the requirements and he knows what our consultations with other organisations involve. I hope that we shall have the regulations before Parliament in January and that they will come into operation one month later.
§ Dr. David ClarkDoes the Minister appreciate that many local authorities have done much work on the preparation of their footpath review maps? Will he take the opportunity to clarify the Government's plans for the outstanding reviews?
§ Mr. MacfarlaneNo, I cannot do that now. I know what the hon. Gentleman is worried about. We have had a dialogue on the matter previously, both inside and outside the House. As soon as I have anything to report, I shall let him and the House know.