§ Mr. Hunterasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the preparation of maps of moor and heath by national park authorities under section 43 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
§ Mr. WaldegraveNational park authorities are required by section 43 of the Act to prepare and publish maps showing those areas of moor and heath within the parks which in their opinion it is particularly important to conserve. Responsibility for this work rests with the authorities concerned. However, on 30 July 1981, at column 1202, during the passage of the Bill my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries (Sir H. Monro) explained that we should expect the Countryside Commission to be consulted on the preparation of each map. My hon. Friend the Minister of State for Wales and I have therefore invited the commission to advise us on the manner in which section 43 is being implemented.