Mr. Andrew F. Bennetasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he is carrying out a similar policy during the industrial dispute concerning the distribution of the London Gazette, with regard to advertising footpath orders, as is being carried out with respect to road proposals;
(2) what is his view about the desirability of printing public path order notices in the London Gazette during the period of failure of Her Majesty's Stationery Office to distribute the London Gazette to subscribers;
(3) if he will make a statement about the continued inclusion by Her Majesty's Stationery Office in the London Gazette of notices of public path orders containing deadlines for objections during the period of failure of Her Majesty's Stationery Office to distribute the London Gazette to subscribers.
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§ Mr. MarksMy right hon. Friend is aware of the current situation regarding the distribution of theLondon Gazette, as a result of which copies are only available through Her Majesty's Stationery Bookshop in Holborn, London. However, I understand that the London Gazette is in fact continuing to be published, though due to production difficulties unconnected with its distribution, copies may become available a few days after the publication date they bear. I am advised that despite the circumstances any requirement to publish a notice in the London Gazette continues to be satisfied. But advertisers, including local authorities which are responsible for placing the great majority of advertisements relating to footpath orders, should consider what additional steps should be taken in present circumstances, including the specification of a longer period than that requited by the procedure, additional advertisements in national and local newspapers and direct contact with interested parties to bring these orders to the notice of those concerned.
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all public footpath orders advertised in the last three months.
§ Mr. MarksPublic footpath order advertisements are published in theLondon Gazette and in a newspaper circulating in the locality to which the order relates. I understand that copies of the London Gazette up to the issue dated 9th October 1978 are available in the Library of the House.