HL Deb 21 July 1980 vol 412 cc5-6

2.45 p.m.

Lord UNDERHILL

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 it is correct that there is a departmental survey which proposes to terminate the present administration of National Parks; and, if that is so, what is the view of the Government on such proposals.

Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTON

My Lords, I think the noble Lord may be referring to a discussion paper published last year by the Countryside Review Committee, which proposed that a review should take place of the present system of landscape and nature conservation designations. The paper did not carry ministerial endorsement, and responses to it from interested organisations and members of the general public are now under consideration. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment expects to make a Statement on this before the end of the year.

Lord UNDERHILL

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. Could he tell the House the organisations which were invited to make comments on this document, and could he comment on whether or not it is correct that some 35 organisations are stated to have made comments, including bodies such as the 11 National Parks authorities, the Forestry Commission, the National Trust and the National Conservation Council, but that only one of the organisations, the Forestry Commission, has declared in favour of the proposals?

Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTON

My Lords, the list which the noble Lord would like to have is too long for me to bother the House with it, but I shall certainly write and give it to him. As to the comments or dissatisfaction expressed, I think, again, that is really a matter which is under review by the Government. There has been a certain amount of dissatisfaction in some circles, I would accept. Whether it is as great as the noble Lord is saying, I am not quite sure; but I will undertake to write to the noble Lord about the first part of his supplementary question.