§ Ms AthertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 8 March 2002,Official Report, column 641–2W, 45W what progress has been made on regional introduction of the freedom to roam under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. [63508]
§ Alun MichaelAs my noble Friend the Lord Whitty answered in another place on 10 April, (HL Deb. column WA 92), we are persuaded of the potential advantages to walkers of bringing the right of access into force on a regional basis. We need to think further about the practical considerations in respect of, for example, managing access and ensuring that members of the public are properly informed of their rights and responsibilities.
We are looking very carefully at this, and we will make an announcement when we have reached a decision.
£ million Year 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 12001–02 AHVG Outturn 107 126 152 183 159 Animal Welfare R&D 4.1 3.7 3.4 3.7 3.2 1Provisional—subject to audit