HL Deb 21 February 2005 vol 669 c184WA
Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the maximum length of time intended by the phrase "as soon as practicable" in Regulations 23(2), 35(2) and 36(2) of the Access to the Countryside (Means of Access, Appeals) (England) Regulations 2004; and why the phrase is not used in Regulation 24. [HL1280]

Lord Whitty

The phrase "as soon as practicable" in these regulations takes its ordinary English meaning and no fixed length of time is intended by its use. I am grateful to the noble Baroness for pointing out that the phrase does not appear in Regulation 24. Although we have no doubt that inspectors will nevertheless notify their decisions on appeal under that regulation promptly, we will address the point when we have an opportunity to review the regulations.