§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, following the Government's response to the Countryside Commission's document "A Better Future for the Uplands," he will make it his policy to give grants for the maintenance and improvement of features such as dry-stone walls or small woods.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe Countryside Commission, which is financed by grant-in-aid from my Department, operates grant schemes which encourage land management practices that assist conservation.
In addition, higher rates of grant are now available for certain conservation works such as shelter belts, dry stone walls and other traditionally built boundaries under schemes operated by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if Her Majesty's government will impose a moratorium on the deregistration of commons until after the Commons Land Forum has reported, and the recommendations made in its report have been considered; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy right hon. Friend has no power to impose such a moratorium. However, following representations I have had from the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark), who is Chairman of the Open 723W Spaces Society, my Department will consider, with the Common Land Forum means of monitoring applications to deregister common land.