asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he has now been able to remove the threat to the Pennine Way through the proposed extension of the Warcop Range.

Yes. I am happy to say that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War has, on reconsideration of the matter at my request, and in the light of other circumstances, found it possible to exclude the Pennine Way from the proposed extension. He has assured me that this beautiful and popular footpath will not be interfered with in any way by the long-term proposals of the War Office. I should like to acknowledge the sympathetic and cooperative spirit which my right hon. Friend has shown. The National Parks Commission have, through their Vice-Chairman, Lord Lawson, taken an active and helpful part in the discussion, and will now be able to carry out their declared intention of making the Pennine Way the first long distance route under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act.