§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the further recent evidence of the deviousness of the infestation, he will now consider making further grants available to the Medina and South Wight Borough Councils to enable them to proceed with an adequate programme for eradicating Japanese seaweed from the harbours of the Isle of Wight.
§ Mr. Denis HowellNo specific grants have been made to local authorities to deal with this problem. As I announced last year, however, I am sponsoring research into possible means of control-
32Wcils in the formulation of proposals. I do not think, however, that the mobilisation of volunteer help by parish councils can have any significant effect on the cost of statutory services provided by district or county councils.