§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what support or assistance his Department offers the Scottish Rights of Way Society; how many rights of way there are in Scotland; and what steps are taken by his Department to ensure their protection.
§ Mr. RossThe Society is an independent body, which has never sought Government assistance. It can look to the Countryside Commission for Scotland for support in its work and, under Section 7 of the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967, it would be eligible to be considered for financial assistance from the Commission.
I have no estimate of the total number of rights of way in Scotland: Section 46 of the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967 provides for their protection and maintenance.