HC Deb 19 July 1960 vol 627 cc24-5W
71. Mr. C. Johnson

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what was the amount of public expenditure on National Parks for each of the 10 years since the coming into operation of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act.

Sir K. Joseph

I do not know what local authorities have spent under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949. Government expenditure chargeable to the Vote of my right hon. Friend's Department, has been as follows:

Cost of the National Parks Commission Grants to Local authorities
£ £
1950–51 17,244
1951–52 22,285
1952–53 21,358
1953–54 21,114
1954–55 23,629 3,572
1955–56 27,846 7,874
1956–57 31,661 4,331
1957–58 33,314 6,355
1958–59 34,955 6,529
1959–60 37,182 8,680
£270,588 £37,341

These figures include small amounts for long distance footpaths outside National Parks, and for areas of outstanding natural beauty. In addition, some expenditure in respect of National Parks is incurred by Departments responsible for common services—the Ministry of Works, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, the Ordnance Survey and the Central Office of Information.