§ Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources whether, in the light of the views expressed in paragraph 47 of Command Paper No. 2928, dealing with leisure in the countryside, he will, by legislation or otherwise, take steps to ensure that the Forestry Commission assist in the provision of many special bridle ways, and cease their present practice of discouraging the use of their land by riders through imposing a special charge per horse.
§ Mr. WilleyThe hon. Member will see in paragraph 54 of Command Paper No. 2928 that the Forestry Commission is opening its forests to the public as freely as possible. The creation of new footpaths and bridleways is set out in paragraph 47 of the Paper as something requiring further consultation and investigation. I do not think that it would be appropriate for the Forestry Commission to stop their practice of making a modest charge to regular riders over their land. These charges are part of the normal management of their estate, and it is reasonable that they should obtain some return for special facilities of this kind.