§ Lord Mancroftasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will make a statement on the review of tree preservation policies and legislation.
§ Baroness BlatchOn 2nd October the Department of the Environment published a report by Mr. James Batho commissioned as part of that review. Copies of878WA the report have been placed in the Library of the House, together with the statement which accompanied its issue.
The Government accept that the tree preservation order system should be maintained in broadly its present form. We plan to issue a consultation paper later this year with detailed proposals to clarify and streamline current procedures, aimed at enhancing their general effectiveness. We also welcome the report's recommendation that local authorities should have a new power to make "hedgerow management orders" to protect important hedgerows in their areas, with payments to owners to assist upkeep. Further details will be given in the forthcoming consultation paper.