§ 30. Mr. McFallTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress he has made with the implementation of the Edwardes committee recommendations for national parks in England and Wales.
§ Mr. AtkinsIn 1992 we issued a major policy statement setting out our proposals for the national parks, including a commitment to legislate to establish independent authorities for all 10 parks. Unfortunately 659W pressure on the parliamentary timetable has not allowed us to secure a place in the current session. However, Lord Norrie has recently announced his intention to introduce legislation in the House of Lords to establish independent authorities for all the parks and I am optimistic that the Government will be able to support it.