§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she had with disability groups on access to the countryside prior to launching the consultation on the use of mechanically-propelled vehicles on rights of way. [161546]
§ Alun MichaelLast December I met a number of groups representing people with disabilities, under the banner Countryside For All, to discuss rights of way issues. We will look carefully at the responses from such groups to our consultation document.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she had with(a) the Home Office, (b) chief constables and (c) police authorities on the use of rights of way by mechanically-propelled vehicles prior to launching the consultation. [161547]
§ Alun MichaelThe consultation paper was drafted with the assistance and agreement of the Home Office. I intend to meet the Association of Chief Police Officers shortly. We had lengthy discussions with the West440W Yorkshire police, who have particular expertise in off-road vehicular enforcement, before publishing the consultation paper.