§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the powers available to national park authorities to prevent damaging development in the areas over which they have jurisdiction.
§ Mr. John Stradling ThomasNational park authorities have a number of powers available. They operate as the local planning authority for the area under their jurisdiction; they have the power under Section 39 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to enter into management agreements with owners and occupiers of land within their area for the purpose of conserving or enhancing the natural beauty or amenity of the countryside; and they have the opportunity in advance of the work being carried out to object to applications upon which it is intended to claim grant under the agricultural and horticultural development and agricultural and horticultural grant schemes and to have their objections considered by the appropriate Minister, in Wales the Secretary of State.