asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will say what policies or plans exist for the preservation of National Park rambling facilities in the environment surrounding towns in the Cotswold area.

Facilities for public access and public rights of way are matters for local authorities to consider, and they are encouraged to ensure that adequate facilities are available. Powers exist for the making of access agreements and the creation of new public rights of way. Existing rights of way can be extinguished only under the statutory procedures laid down. The Countryside Commission have under consideration a proposal to make a long-distance route under the National Park and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 to be known as the Cotswold Way.