§ Mr. Tudor Watkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the nature of the objections to the Northern Pennines Rural Development Board and the number received, how many were resolved; how many were considered by the local public inquiry, and what was the result of the recommendations made to him.
§ Mr. John MackieThirty-two valid objections were received. The majority related either to the severance of holdings by the proposed boundary or to the inclusion of land laying on the fringes of106W the main hill area. 14 objections were resolved by agreement; the remaining 18 were considered at public hearings. Acceptance of the inspector's recommendations resulted in a net reduction of some 45 square miles in the board's area.
§ Mr. Tudor Watkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the acreage of the Northern Pennines Rural Development Board; how many farms are included; how many are in upland areas; and what organisations and local authorities were consulted before the Order was made.
§ Mr. John MackieThe area is about 3,000 sq. miles and includes some 6,000 farms, all in hill or upland areas. Over 100 local authorities and other interested organisations were consulted on the proposal for the board.