§ Mr. JoplingTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the cost of offering environmentally sensitive area grants to farmers in each of the national parks in England and Wales using similar take-up percentages as exist in those areas which are of a similar nature and region.
§ Mr. CurryFigures are not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. JoplingTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on his proposals to increase expenditure on the environmentally sensitive areas scheme over the three years to 1994–95 giving estimates of the increased amount of land which will be included and the number of farms; and if he will make it his policy to ensure that farms in the Lake District national park will be eligible for inclusion.
§ Mr. CurryWe have plans to increase expenditure on environmentally sensitive areas in England by £75 million over the next three years. It is too soon to provide estimates of the resulting increase in coverage in terms of land and farms but announcements will be made shortly concerning improvements in existing areas and the designation of new ones. The Lake District is one of many new areas that have been suggested and full account will be taken of the information submitted on each.