Written question asked by Elfyn Llwyd (Plaid Cymru) on Monday, 30 June 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 July 2003. It was answered by Alun Michael (Labour) on Monday, 14 July 2003 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the estimated cost in total is of completing the mapping exercise under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the estimated cost in total is of completing the mapping exercise under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. [123406] Alun Michael: The cost of implementing Part 1 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 in England was £13.5 million to the end of March 2003. The Countryside Agency has estimated that the remainder of the mapping exercise including contractor costs, staff and publicity will require a further £22.1 million. This is an estimated cost and there are still large external factors to be taken into account, such as the number of comment forms received from the public which need to be determined and the number of appeals to be heard. These variables could have a large impact on the final costs of the mapping exercise. The Planning Inspectorate has spent £1.5 million up to the end of March 2003 and has a budget of £2.5 million this year. It is not possible to give a total cost for the Planning Inspectorate as this will depend on the number of appeals received. Information on costs in Wales is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

Secondary information