HL Deb 20 June 1961 vol 232 cc487-8

2.36 p.m.

EARL FORTESCUE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in view of the reported completion of the revision of one-inch Ordnance Survey maps, a revised issue of half-inch Ordnance Survey maps may be expected, and if not, whether a reduction of the one-inch map to half-inch scale can be issued in lieu.]

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD (EARL WALDEGRAVE)

My Lords, the first publication of the new one-inch Ordnance Survey map is almost completed. We have already made a start on the publication of the half-inch map and, since the noble Earl last raised this subject a year ago, one more sheet has been published, bringing the total to three out of a series of fifty-one. Two further sheets will become available this year but, because of the increasing demand for published one-inch maps and, in fact, for Ordnance Survey maps generally, it has been necessary to retard the production of the half-inch series. I am afraid that, for technical reasons it is not possible to produce a half-inch map which would be legible by simple reduction of a one-inch map.

EARL FORTESCUE

My Lords, I thank the noble Earl for his reply.