HC Deb 28 March 1996 vol 274 cc1157-8
8. Mr. Butler

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps the Government have taken to promote managed access to the countryside. [21609]

Mr. Boswell

The Ministry offers a range of incentives to encourage farmers to provide increased public access.

Mr. Butler

Does my hon. Friend accept that farmers in my constituency and elsewhere welcome managed access to the countryside? What they do not welcome, however, is the hysterical approach of the right to rampage being put forward by the Labour party, which would be a licence for criminals, burglars and people who want to commit damage to go into the countryside without let or hindrance. Does my hon. Friend recall that the previous Labour policy on this subject, in 1990, was launched under the title "Out in the Country"? Does he think that this policy could more accurately be described as out to lunch?

Mr. Boswell

I have considerable sympathy with the points made by my hon. Friend. There has been wise advice on the subject from some of the Opposition's noble Friends in another place—including Baroness Mallalieu, who explained that a law would be unenforceable without the consent of farmers and landowners. As my hon. Friend implied, the policy would also impose very severe insurance, administrative and general hassle costs for the farming community. It could not proceed without consent, it is entirely the wrong way round and we will have no part of it.

Mr. Foulkes

I am surprised that the hon. Member for Milton Keynes, North-East (Mr. Butler) did not blame my hon. Friend the Member for Peckham (Ms Harman) for pillaging the countryside. Has the Minister seen the representations made by the Ramblers Association following the decision announced yesterday—

Mr. Jacques Arnold

She has done enough damage already.

Mr. Foulkes

I know that the hon. Member for Gravesham (Mr. Arnold) is suffering from mad cow disease.

After yesterday's decision by the Secretary of State for Scotland on the Forestry Commission's holdings, the Ramblers Association made representations to the effect that such a policy will discourage access to the forest and is, in fact, privatisation by the back door.

Will the Minister talk to his right hon. Friend and ask him to rethink his plans for the forestry?

Mr. Boswell

We would be happy to shift our attack from the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms Harman), who has perhaps already taken sufficient punishment, to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes). I will, of course, be delighted at any time to speak to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on forestry matters, as I do frequently. I would have to tell him that the basis of any of our forestry disposals programme is to provide properly for public access. Woods that are not widely used by the public are one category, but we would not sell woods or forests that are widely used by the public without making or offering adequate provision for access, which we regard as important.