§ Dr. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what research studies his Department has initiated to monitor the pace and character of change to rural landscape and wildlife habitats in the United Kingdom resulting from agriculture, forestry and urban development.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinIn collaboration with the Countryside Commission we are commissioning a research study which will aim to obtain statistically reliable information on the current distribution and extent of features of major landscape importance in England and Wales and their recent rates of change. A contract is expected to be let early in the new year. This work will be co-ordinated with a related survey by the Nature Conservancy Council of changes in habitats.