HC Deb 07 March 1984 vol 55 cc846-7
12. Mr. Weetch

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with the operation of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Mr. Waldegrave

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Weetch

Does the Minister realise that the Wildlife and Countryside Act is proving inadequate to protect East Anglia's natural landscape and the wildlife associated with it? Is he further aware that heavily subsidised arable farming in East Anglia is responsible for uprooting hedges, for the disappearance of deciduous copses and for the devouring of heathland and ancient woodland? Is he aware that all that is being done with the support of public money and is out of public control? Could I give him due warning that unless teeth are put into the legislation some of the wildlife in East Anglia will decline beyond recall?

Mr. Waldegrave

I am well aware of some of the problems in this area. The Act has been in force for only a year. We are watching its progress closely. However, it is an attempt to set up a balance between competing interests and to compensate those who have important land that should be preserved, and it is one that must be made seriously.

Mr. Hardy

Will the Minister accept that there has been substantial damage and destruction to proposed sites of special scientific interest, some of which are of real importance, and that this is entirely due to a deficiency in the Act, which allows the three-month loophole of which he is aware? Could that particular problem not be resolved as a matter of urgency?

Mr. Waldegrave

I have discussed this matter with the hon. Member. I know that there is a real problem here, which we are considering. No one would thank my Department for bringing forward more primary legislation in this area, but we recognise a potential problem here.

Dr. David Clark

How much more evidence does the Minister need before he will admit that this legislation has been a failure? In particular, will he expose the scandal of cases where farmers and landowners apply for financial compensation for not pursuing environmentally damaging schemes which they would never contemplate if that compensation were not available?

Mr. Waldegrave

It is exceedingly difficult to prove that what the hon. Member alleges is true. Obviously, the possibility of it exists. However, we believe that a serious approach to a voluntary system in this area is worth an attempt to make it work properly. It is far too soon to say that it is not working.

Mr. Cormack

When the Act has been in force for two years, will my hon. Friend consider making a detailed report on its working to Parliament?

Mr. Waldegrave

The Nature Conservancy Council and the Countryside Commission themselves in their annual reports will be making detailed observations both to Ministers and to the House, and I think that that is the best way of proceeding. I assure my hon. Friend that no one is more aware than my Department of the potential difficulties.