§ Mr. Hardyassked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give advice to affected 253W farmers and landowners as to their obligations under Acts of Inclosure that hedgerows and fences or walls and dykes should be maintained in perpetuity.
§ Mrs. FennerThe question of the Acts of Inclosure was dealt with by my hon. Friend the Under-Secetary of State for the Environment in his answer to the hon. Member on 17 December 1982—[Vol. 34, c. 296]. However, my agricultural development and advisory service does encourage the retention of hedgerows wherever possible. Farmers are advised that, quite apart from the contribution to wildlife and landscape conservation, there are often practical agricultural advantages in retaining hedgerows.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total expenditure in grant-aid to farm improvements in the past two years before restriction in the provision of grant-aid towards the clearance of fences and hedgerows, walls, ditches and dykes was introduced and in the two years which followed the introduction of these restrictions.
§ Mrs. FennerI regret that this information is not available.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in how many cases grant-aid was given towards the removal of hedgerows in 1981 and 1982; and in what circumstances.
§ Mrs. FennerI regret that this information is not available.
As I have explained previously, hedge removal may be grant-aided only as necessary ancillary work and then in very limited circumstances. Ancillary works are not recorded separately.