HC Deb 25 July 1980 vol 989 cc421-2W
Mr. Denis Howell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what estimate he has made of the additional finance and manpower required by local authorities and the Nature Conservancy Council to fulfil the additional responsibilities which will be placed on them in national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, and sites of special scientific interest as a result of the Government's proposals for altering the administration of farm capital grants;

(2) if he is satisfied that landscape and wildlife habitats in areas which are not designated as national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty and sites of special scientific interest will be adequately protected after the introduction of the Government's proposals for altering the administration of farm capital grants;

(3) what discussions he has had with the local authority associations and the Nature Conservancy Council regarding the additional responsibilities which will be placed on them in national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, and sites of special scientific interest as a result of the Government's proposals for altering the administration of farm capital grants; and what advice they have given him;

(4) if he will take steps to ensure that, in the light of cutbacks in public expenditure in central and local government, conservation of the landscapes and wildlife habitats continues to be encouraged by public authorities and by those who live and work in the countryside.

Mr. Monro

I am, of course, aware of various implications of the proposed new arrangements as represented to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by the bodies in question. I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend, who is currently considering these and other representations made to him.

Mr. Denis Howell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how, in the light of the Government's proposals for altering the administration of farm capital grants, it is planned that his Department and the public authorities for which his Department has responsibility, will pursue their duties under section 11 of the Countryside Act 1968 in areas which are not designated as national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, and sites of special scientific interest.

Mr. Monro

This Department and the public authorities for which it is responsible will continue, as at present, to have regard to the desirability of conserving the natural beauty and amenity of the countryside in the exercise of its functions relating to land.