Caravans

Mr. Adley
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Forestry Commission has powers to control entry into national parks and other areas of caravans whose car drivers are not in possession of reserved accommodation, when it is anticipated that demand for pitches will exceed supply.

Mr. Strang
The Forestry Commission has no powers to control entry along public roads which provide access to national parks and other areas. It does, however, have powers under the byelaws to control entry on to land under its management. In the New Forest, the Forestry Commission, in an effort to  alleviate congestion during the Spring Bank Holiday, invites campers to apply in advance for access tickets to official Commission camp sites. Campers who arrive without access tickets may be directed to a reception centre where they are allocated pitches at an alternative site.