HC Deb 19 March 1979 vol 964 cc419-20W
Mr. Shersby

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards nature conservation; what was the effect of the declaration by the Nature Conservancy Council on grant aid made on 2 May 1978 in respect of the Hertfordshire and Middlesex Trust for Nature Conservation Ltd.; how this is changed by any reduction in the Nature Conservancy Council's allocation for 1979–80; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Marks

The Government have endorsed the statement of policies announced by the Nature Conservancy

LAND DISPOSED OF IN 1977–78
Proposed use Acquired in 1976–77 (acres) Acquired in 1977–78 (acres) Total (acres)
Housing 44 27 71
Industry 13 15 28
Other (including commerce) 33 0 33
Totals 90 42 132

Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will elucidate and give further details of the 14 acres of land described as transfers from land accounts in the reply of the hon. Member for Greenwich (Mr. Barnett) to the hon. Member for Melton, Official Report, 12 March, columns 25–6; in what year or years this land was bought; by what method it was disposed of; and for what proposed use.

Mr. Guy Barnett

This category relates to land not disposed of but transferred out of the land accounts under paragraph 11(2) of the accounts directions as amended—mainly land needed for other statutory functions.

Council in 1974 and support the work of the NCC in pursuance of these policies. The declaration of intent relates to support for the voluntary bodies in nature conservation. The amount of such support must clearly depend on the availability of funds, from time to time and its distribution is a matter for the NCC. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my right hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Sir G. de Freitas) on 12 March 1979.—[Vol. 964, c. 20.] My right hon. Friend and I are having further discussions with the Chairman of the Nature Conservancy Council.