§ 1. Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of footpaths have been closed in the past five years; and how many miles of footpaths have been created in the same period.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Neil Macfarlane)The figures are not available.
§ Mr. BennettWill the Minister accept that that is a disappointing answer? Will he also accept that more and more people go walking and that they want more and more facilities for walking and that these can be provided only if more footpaths are created? Would it not be a sensible use of the large numbers of people who are unemployed at the moment to use them to clear obstructed footpaths, to drain or provide better drainage on many of the footpaths that are over-used and generally to improve footpath amenities?
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI dare say that you, at least, Mr. Speaker, were pleased with my opening remark.
I note what the hon. Gentleman has said and I certainly accept that there might he some interesting aspects to the final part of his question, but the important thing to remember is that on 28 February part III of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 concerning public rights of way comes into force. Everybody will acknowledge that this can give tremendous help in ensuring that existing procedures for both the creation and stopping up of footpaths are acknowledged by all.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonI recognise the important part that footpaths can play in recreation and leisure, but does my hon. Friend agree that footpath societies and ramblers associations should be more flexible when farmers and other individuals whose property is affected apply for a diversion of a footpath but not a closure? At the moment they seem to oppose everything just for the sake of opposing it.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI am not certain that I would echo my hon. Friend's sentiments entirely. The Ramblers Association has an opportunity to produce figures from time to time if it so wishes. I do not want to comment on that dispute today.
§ Dr. David ClarkWill the Minister take up the latter point of my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport, North (Mr. Bennett) about the improvement of footpaths? Will it be possible for the Minister to press the national parks authorities, or perhaps send them a circular asking them to make it a deliberate act of policy to employ people to try to improve footpaths in areas where they are badly worn?
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI believe that the hon. Gentleman's comments will be observed in the fullness of time. Local authorities have the necessary powers to enable that to be done. It is up to individual authorities to decide, in the light of the total recreational needs of the area and the resources available, whether that footpath provision is adequate or should be augmented. That is the best way to approach the matter.