HC Deb 20 June 1967 vol 748 cc1386-7
2. Sir T. Beamish

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what advice he has given to local authorities about the damage to wild life caused by the indiscriminate and careless use of modern hedge-cutting machines and weed killers on road verges; and if he will encourage the setting up by county councils of countryside sub-committees of county planning committees, with access to scientific advice, as in East Sussex.

Mr. Wiley

My right hon. Friend believes local authorities are well aware of the objections to these processes, but he considers the setting up of countryside sub-committees to be a question of management best decided by the county councils themselves. Full access to scientific advice need not depend on this particular arrangement.

Sir T. Beamish

Is the Minister of State aware that the attitude of councils varies from the enlightened to the extremely callous, as must be apparent to a great many people travelling round the countryside? Does he not feel that there is a clear case for persuading local authorities concerned with road verges to keep in touch with the Nature Conservancy and with voluntary organisations like the county naturalist trusts?

Mr. Willey

I agree that the Nature Conservancy has served very usefully in helping local authorities with scientific advice, and we shall encourage that.