§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications for grant aid have been received for a scheme which would permit improvement of drainage of Amberley Wildbrooks in Sussex, a site which is at present of national importance as a nature conservation area.
§ Mr. StrangThe Southern Water Authority has submitted two applications for grant, one relating to its water authority functions and one in its capacity as an internal drainage board covering this area.
§ Mr. Luceasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) since the drainage of Amberley Wildbrooks would significantly alter agricultural practice and affect conservation in an area of outstanding natural beauty, what criteria 461W he will apply in deciding whether or not to accept the drainage proposals of the Southern Water Authority, bearing in mind obligations contained in Section 11 of the Countryside Act;
(2) if he will give an assurance that he will take no decision with regard to the application of the Southern Water Authority for a grant to carry out a drainage scheme at the Amberley Wild-brooks area until he has had extensive consultations with all interested parties;
(3) what consultations he intends to have on the application made to him for a drainage grant for the Amberley Wild-brooks area with interested national and local organisations, interested local residents and other interested parties.
§ Mr. StrangThe Southern Water Authority's application for grant has just reached us and we will take the representations of the hon. Member and of other interested persons and bodies fully into account before deciding whether to support the authority's proposals. We have yet to decide on the best consultation procedures; and the factors which emerge from such consultations with determine the precise criteria we shall use in reaching a decision on this case.