§ Sir Gerard VaughanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list the action his Department is taking to safeguard the peatlands from commercial devastation.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe Government are committed to assessing the practical operation and implementations of the powers contained in the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 and to consider the available options to balance nature conservation against existing mineral extraction interests on key peatland areas. The Government are encouraging research into alternatives for peat and are working with commercial firms in the re-evaluation of alternatives currently available. Whenever appropriate, we are encouraging the use of alternatives.
§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will review all pre-1948 planning permissions for the extraction of peat which affect sites of special scientific interest; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe Government are committed to assessing the practical operation and implementation of the power contained in the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 and are considering the available options to balance nature conservation against existing mineral extraction interests on key peatland sites.
§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to receive the peatland resource data inventory; how many full-time and part-time staff are involved in carrying out the research at the Nature Conservancy Council; what funds the Government have provided for the research; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 5 June,Official Report, column 480, concerning the peatland resource data inventory.
I am advised by the NCC that it is currently recruiting two full-time staff in addition to the three full-time officers currently employed on the survey. It is for the NCC to decide what portion of its grant in aid of £44.069 million should be devoted to this project.