§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Don Valley of 4 June,Official Report, column 201, if he will make it his practice to keep central records of the number of public footpaths and public bridleways that have been created or closed to the general public.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonNo. Each roads and planning authority, under the terms of its appropriate legislation, is responsible for the creation or closure of public footpaths and public bridleways in its area. There is no demonstrable benefit in my right hon. Friend compiling information of this type where he is not the authority responsible.