APPOINTMENTS TO THE COUNTRYSIDE AGENCY

Early day motion 262, tabled 1 February 1999 by Gordon Prentice (Labour). Signed by 61 members.

That this House expresses its grave concern at reports in the Financial Times of 30th January 1999 that Mr Ewen Cameron, a former President of the Country Landowners Association, has been interviewed twice for the post of chairperson of the New Countryside Agency which is to be created on 1st April; notes with dismay the assertion by the Financial Times that Mr Cameron personally lobbied the Prime Minister against wide-ranging right to roam legislation; recalls that Mr Cameron planted a potato crop across a public footpath on his land in 1996, contrary to the Rights of Way Act 1990; further notes that he is firmly opposed to legislation giving freedom to roam on open country to which the Countryside Commission, which will form part of the new agency, is committed; and believes the appointment of Mr Cameron would not command public confidence and should on no account be seriously considered by a Labour Government with the interests of the many at heart rather than the few.

Signatures by party: Labour 54, Liberal Democrat 4, Labour/Co-operative 3.