§ Mr. Dodsworthasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many picnic areas there are in England and Wales;
(2) what was the cost of establishing picnic areas in England and Wales;
(3) what is the day-to-day running cost of picnic areas in England and Wales; and what is the total amount spent to date on such areas;
(4) how many people are employed to run the picnic areas in England and Wales; and what is the total salary bill paid;
(5) what is the total number of staff employed to run each of the country parks in England and Wales; and what is their total salary bill;
(6) if he will list all the country parks in England and Wales, together with their acreage;
(7) what was the cost of establishing each of the country parks in England and Wales; what is the day to day runnng cost of such parks; and what is the total amount spent to date on each of the parks.
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§ Mr. MarksAs at 30th September 1975 the Countryside Commission recognised the 128 country parks and 153 picnic sites listed on maps 2(a) and (b) of its Annual Report for 1974–75 which is available to the House.
The acreage of most of the country parks is given in Appendix 3 of its Annual Report for 1973–74. Since 30th September 1975 the Commission has approved for grant aid a further eight picnic sites and a further seven country parks. I will write to the hon. Member with the additional details.
These facilities are provided by the local authorities and private persons and I do not have full information of the cost involved or of the staffing. Grant aid towards a proportion of the capital costs has been provided in most but not all cases by the Countryside Commission and, before 1st April 1974, by my Department so far as concerns public bodies in England.