§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is now in a position to provide financial help to landowners by way of grant or loan toward the cost of maintaining trees protected by preservation orders.
§ Mr. Denis HowellNo, my right hon. Friend has no power to do so. But some limited assistance towards the cost of amenity tree-planting, which is not confined to protected trees, may be available from the Countryside Commission under its powers in Section 9 of the Local Government Act 1974.
§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked he Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now seek to amend section 62(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971 so as to ensure that landowners who fell woodland trees protected by preservation orders without consent are legally required to replant.
§ Mr. Dennis HowellWe recognise that there appears to be an anomaly which we shall seek to rectify by amending legislation when a suitable opportunity arises.