HL Deb 25 July 1979 vol 401 c2031WA
Lord O'HAGAN

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What grants are available for the removal of hedgerows; and whether such grants are justifiable.

Earl FERRERS

Grant aid has not been available under the various capital grant schemes for hedge removal as such since 1st June 1976. Where it is necessary to remove part of a hedge for the proper functioning of under-drainage or ditching work, grant may be paid at the rate appropriate to that work but only on the minimum of hedge removal. Grant is also available to remove thickets which do not form part of existing field boundaries and which obstruct cultivation. In these circumstances, I consider grant aid is justifiable.