§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is now in a position to indicate how he proposes to ensure that definitive footpath maps are published in a form which is easily available to the general public 227W and can encourage more people to use the less well-known areas of the countryside.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe publication of definitive footpath maps is a matter for local initiative. I regard their wider availability as a desirable long term objective, but it is for local authorities to decide their expenditure priorities within the current financial constraints. Information on rights of way is, of course, also contained in the Ordnance Survey's 1:50,000 maps, complete coverage by which is due early next year. As my hon. Friend stated in the House on 23rd April, the Ordnance Survey is studying whether it would be practicable within its present resources to accelerate the publication of the second series of 1:25,000 maps.