§ Sir J. WITHERSasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the report of the National Parks Committee, dated April, 1931; and whether, in view of the diminishing number of private open spaces and the increasing menace to those that remain owing to building and other causes, he will take early steps to put into operation one or other of the recommendations of that committee?
Sir H. YOUNGThe report of the National Parks Committee has received my careful consideration, but while I am in sympathy with the objects which the committee have in view, I cannot at the present time hold out any prospect of putting either of their recommendations into operation. In the meantime local authorities, by means particularly of planning schemes under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1932, are making steady progress in the reservation of land for both public and private open spaces, and in the control of premature building operations, and will continue to receive all the help and encouragement in these matters which I am able to give them.