Mr. Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the agreements reached between various landowning and other interests over the access of the public to mountains in England and Wales; and whether he will take steps to see that Scottish rights and privileges are preserved before these agreements are applied to Scotland, in view of the differing legal and customary rights in Scotland?
§ Mr. ColvilleI understand that certain agreements have been reached between various interests in England and Wales as the basis of proposed amendments to the Access to Mountains Bill which is now before a Standing Committee. In examining any proposal for the application of that Bill to Scotland I will carefully consider the Scottish circumstances and any representations which may be addressed to me.