HC Deb 24 October 1984 vol 65 cc688-90
18. Mr. John Hunt

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with safeguards that exist for wildlife and landscape in those areas which have no designation under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waldegrave

Yes, Sir, I am satisfied in general. All local planning authorities, including London borough councils, have power under section 39 of the Act to enter into management agreements for the purposes of conserving or enhancing the natural beauty or amenity of the countryside or for promoting its enjoyment by the public.

Mr. Hunt

Is my hon. Friend aware that during the summer extensive tree felling and scrub clearance was carried out by a thoughtless farmer in Mollards Wood, causing great annoyance and anxiety to a large number of residents? Would it not be simple and entirely reasonable in such circumstances to require a farmer to give six months' notice of his intention to carry out any work that might alter the landscape or affect the wildlife? Why cannot that be done?

Mr. Waldegrave

As my hon. Friend knows, the Forestry Commission is still pursuing the question whether the felling licence was complied with, which may be relevent here. Although there are powers relating to the areas that have been designated, especially by the Nature Conservancy Council, as ecologically important, my hon. Friend is asking for a very wide extension of those powers over the remainder of the countryside, which would be difficult.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

Does the Minister appreciate that there is widespread concern that the Wildlife and. Countryside Act 1981 is not having the intended effect — as many people warned when it went through Parliament? Will the hon. Gentleman have special concern for the provision of marine nature reserves, which were a matter of some argument during the passage of the Bill, and which the Government appear to be ignoring?

Mr. Waldegrave

There is widespread support for the Act. A positive new consensus has began to emerge on countryside management, and the Act has played an important part in that. The marine nature reserves are not a matter for the Government in the first instance. The two cases that have been pursued have both run into complex difficulties. However, I am keeping an eye on the position.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

Does my hon. Friend accept that unneccessary drainage to add to agricultural surpluses has had a major impact on wildlife in the countryside? Will he have a word with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food about the review of drainage which is now long overdue, and should be forthcoming? Should not that review make large drainage schemes subject to scrutiny?

Mr. Waldegrave

My Department has been closely involved with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food about the review. My right hon. Friend the Minister will publish a discussion document shortly.

Dr. David Clark

Does the Minister appreciate that parts of the Act have turned our countryside into disaster areas? Does he not recall the repeated offers from the Labour Opposition to assist the Government with remedial legislation? Why has he not acted on that offer? Will he tell the House of his plans to preserve parts of the countryside?

Mr. Waldegrave

The hon. Gentleman is wrong to blame the Wildlife and Countryside Act. If the Act had not been there, the damage would have been greater. However, I accept his point that it is necessary to make improvements to the Act. I am grateful for his offer of help, which we may shortly take up.