§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many representations he has received from members of the public in support of the amended national park purpose of promoting opportunities for quiet enjoyment and understanding in(a) March, (b) April, (c) May and (d) June of this year; and if he will place copies of these representations in the Library; [33482]
(2) how many representations he has received from organisations in support of the amended national park purpose of promoting opportunities for quiet enjoyment and understanding in (a) March, (b) April, (c) May and (d) June of this year; and if he will place copies of these representations in the Library. [33481]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe following number of representations has been received:
Organisations Members of the public March 13 56 April 4 11 May 1 15 June 4 7 As these representations were not made in response to a public consultation exercise, it is not appropriate to place copies in the Library.
§ Mr. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of access agreements made in each national park in the most recent year for which figures are available. [33490]
§ Mr. ClappisonThis information is not held centrally. I have asked officials to seek details and will write to the hon. Member.
§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is now the status of the commitment to quiet enjoyment as set out in the Government response to the Edwards report "Fit for the Future", page 26, paragraph 12.1(i), in January 1992. [33483]
§ Mr. ClappisonWe considered very carefully the consequences of introducing into the revised and updated national park purposes set out in the Environment Bill the phrase "quiet enjoyment". We concluded that the disadvantages outweighed the advantages in doing so. Subsequent debates on the Bill have reinforced our belief that this conclusion was correct.
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