§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much money has been(a) given and (b) committed by the Countryside Commission to the Country Landowners Association to assist with the CLA's Access 2000 project; if he will list the (i) numbers, (ii) size and (iii) location of sites involving new public access opened as a result of the expenditure; and if each new public access is (1) permanent, (2) free of charge and (3) paid for by (I) walkers and (II) a Government-funded scheme. [41548]
§ Mr. MeacherThe Country Landowners Association is taking action under its Access 2000 initiative to improve the quality, diversity and quantity of managed public access and recreation in the countryside. The CLA has employed an Access Adviser to assist them with the practical aspects of this initiative. The Countryside Commission is helping to meet the costs of the Access Adviser. To date, the Commission has paid approximately £17,000 and is committed to a maximum contribution of £68,500 over the three years to April 2000.
The work of the Adviser involves seeking voluntary improvements in the public access available over rural private land in England, and includes the production of guidance on making local access assessments. The Commission receives progress reports from the CLA and I shall be asking the Commission to seek up-to-date information from the CLA on the other points my hon. Friend raises and to write to him with the information available. A copy of the Commission's letter will be placed in the Library of the House.