§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are aware that the Wessex Water Authority are, at the request of their Regional Land 721WA Drainage Committee, considering a major land drainage improvement scheme in the Brue Basin (Somerset) which could seriously affect the scientific interest of several thousand acres of land which the Nature Conservancy Council (NCC) consider is a Site of Special Scientific Interest status; and whether they will condemn these moves in view of the efforts by the Somerset County Council, the NCC and others to produce a sensible solution for conservation on the Somerset Levels and Moors.
722WAThe Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Belstead):Wessex Water Authority have consulted my department and the Department of the Environment over possible improvements to the existing arterial drainage arrangements in the Brue Basin. They are currently consulting conservation and other interests before formulating their proposals further. Any application for grant they make will be considered by Ministers with regard to all the relevant factors