§ 81. Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department seeks competitive tenders for the provision of trees and shrubs in the construction of motorways.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineQuotations are invited for the majority of trees and shrubs planted on my Department's roads.338W In the last planting season 83 per cent. of the stock used was acquired in this way.
§ 89. Sir Clive Bossomasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to see that the 10,800 acres of verges, cuttings and banks on motorways are better used to support plants and wildlife in European Conservation Year.
§ Mr. Graham PageAll my Department's agent authorities responsible for motorway maintenance have been instructed on the importance of conserving plant life on motorway verges, etc. once the interests of road safety have been fully met.
As a contribution to European Conservation Year my Department, in conjunction with Nature Conservancy, has undertaken a survey of the vegetation on the M1 to ascertain the types of management best suited to encourage a wide range of plant life.