§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will lay a report before Parliament on the state of hedges in England and Wales.
§ Mr. RyderNo representative studies have been undertaken of the condition of hedges in England and Wales because of the difficulties caused by variations between hedgerow types in different locations and serving different purposes.
My Department is always ready to provide advice to farmers on hedgerow management, and grants are available for hedgerow planting and laying under the new farm and conservation grant scheme which subject to parliamentary approval will operate from next Monday.