§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will delay reaching any further decisions on outstanding applications for land drainage grants in the Somerset Levels area until the Somerset County Council's study into conflicting land use problems in the area is published, and has been considered by all concerned.
Earl FerrersThe Government cannot anticipate the eventual outcome of the study by the Somerset County Council, nor how this might affect the administration of land drainage grants in the Somerset Levels. In the meantime every capital grant case in that area will be treated on its merits in accordance with present procedures, taking account of the obligations imposed by Sections 11 and 37 of the Countryside Act 1968 and weighing very carefully the balance of farming and conservation arguments applying to any particular case.