§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in accordance with the local government White Paper 2001 and the spending review 2002, they have published a strategy for reviewing the powers and responsibilities that 10WA govern the provision and maintenance of public spaces, including beaches.[HL3282]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty):On 31 October 2002, Defra published the consultation paper, Living Places: Powers, Rights Responsibilities. This consultation set out a number of options for reforming legislation relating to public space. A summary of the consultation responses was published in July 2003. Defra has made clear that should new or amended legislation be necessary or desirable following this consultation we would seek to introduce it if a suitable legislative opportunity arose.