§ Mr. WardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how the public can find out where they have rights of access to private land as a result of tax concessions being granted to the owners in return for greater public access.
§ Mr. Dorrell[holding answer 11 November 1992]: I have been asked to reply.
The owner of land that has been conditionally exempted from inheritance tax is required to publicise the agreed public access arrangements. The extent of the publicity depends on the facts of each case. The owner will generally be required to take specific steps to publicise public access, for example by advertising the access arrangements in a local tourist office or town hall.
The appropriate heritage advisory agency, for example the Countryside Commission for scenic land in England, is able to supply information about public access to heritage land including conditionally exempt land, although land will not be identified as conditionally exempt. In addition, in England and Wales, a member of the public who wants information about public access in a specific area can contact the footpaths officer of the appropriate county council or national park authority. Details of footpaths and public access also often appear on maps and in commercial publications, particularly for major tourist areas.