§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will confirm that the individuals and organisations that responded to the London Residuary Body's (LRB) consultation document on the future of Hampstead Heath was overwhelmingly in favour of a London-wide system of funding for the heath; when they expect to receive the LRB's recommendations about future management of the heath; and when the Secretary of State expects to make a decision in response to the LRB's recommendations; and
Whether they can confirm that the London Residuary Body intend to carry out a second consultation process about the future management of Hampstead Heath before making recommendations about this matter to the Government, and, if so, when this second consultation process is likely to start, and when they now expect to receive a final recommendation from the LRB.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment (Lord Skelmersdale)I understand from the London Residuary Body that a substantial majority of those who responded to the London Residuary Body's first consultation document on the future of Hampstead Heath favoured funding other than on a purely local basis. The London Residuary Body expect to issue before the end of January a second consultation document to all respondents of the first consultation exercise. In the light of the further responses, the London Residuary Body hope to submit their recommendations to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment in the spring of this year. A decision will be made as soon as possible in the light of those recommendations and of any subsequent discussions with the London Residuary Body or other bodies.