asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources what action he is taking to secure greater public access to open country, particularly in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and in the Abbeystead Moors in the Forest of Bowland area of outstanding beauty.

Responsibility for arranging for public access to open country rests in the first place with the local planning authorities. My right hon. Friend, the Minister of Housing and Local Government, and I will be glad to consider any proposals the local planning authorities may put to us for the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Abbeystead Moors.