HC Deb 21 October 1998 vol 317 cc1105-6W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will request the Countryside Commission to make it a condition of future grant aid to the CLA in respect of access to the countryside that the new access land is posted on the CLA's website. [55412]

Mr. Meacher

Publicity for new access opportunities is an essential element in opening up the countryside for public enjoyment. The Countryside Commission recognises the importance of publicity—through a range of media—and I am asking them to take this into account when setting grant conditions. Access land identified through the Country Landowners Association (CLA) Access 2000 scheme is already being posted on to the CLA's website.

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to verify independently the nature and extent of the new public access to the countryside offered by the CLA under its Access 2000 scheme. [55417]

Mr. Meacher

None. The register on the CLA's website contains many details of the access involved and the CLA is responsible for the accuracy. We would expect it to verify information before it is made public on a website.