§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will state how many applications for agricultural grant aid for land drainage schemes in West Sedgemoor are currently awaiting determination by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many applications have been granted during 1981, how many applications have been refused during 1981, and what is the total area of land involved in each case.
Earl FerrersWe are currently considering, in consultation with the Nature Conservancy Council, two applications under the capital grant schemes for grant on the cost of drainage a total of 19.4 hectares in West Sedgemoor. During 1981, we have so far grant-aided 499WA two applications to drain a total of 8.62 hectares, and rejected none. One of these cases was agreed with the Nature Conservancy Council, the other was decided after consultation with the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment.