§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what(a) grants and (b) other support will be available from his Department for the conservation and protection of dry stone walls from April 1996. [2328]
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesGrants for the restoration, conservation and protection of dry stone walls are available from the Welsh Office in those parts of Wales which are designated as environmentally sensitive areas and those areas which come under the Tir Cymen pilot scheme administered by the Countryside Council for Wales. Support under these schemes will continue beyond April 1996.
Assistance towards the provision, replacement or improvement of walls is also available throughout Wales under the farm and conservation grant scheme which is currently due to end on 19 February 1996. I have asked my officials to investigate the possibilities that may exist to enable the continuation in Wales of grant aid for capital works—including dry stone walling—that are available under the scheme. We shall make an announcement in due course.