§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the percentage increase, in real terms, in the retail price of the Ordnance Survey map sheets for a comparable area on the scale of 1:1,250 from 1979 to 1989; what is the current cost of maps for the parliamentary division of Finchley; and what is his policy for the pricing of this map series.
§ Mr. TrippierThe retail price of Ordnance Survey 1:1,250 quality paper maps has increased by 83 per cent. in real terms over the 10-year period between 1979 and 1989. The main use of these maps is by local authorities, land developers and utilities.
The current cost of these maps to cover the parliamentary division of Finchley is £1,197.
These maps form part of Ordnance Survey's core activities and are priced to help achieve the cost recovery target set by the Secretary of State.