§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in pursuance of his responsibilities under section 11 of the Countryside Act 1968, he is prepared to reject a claim for grant-aid under the agriculture and horticultural grant schemes relating to an investment which has seriously damaged the countryside or its flora and fauna (a) within a site of special scientific interest, national park or area of outstanding natural beauty and (b) in the wider countryside; and what specific advice his officials offer farmers and landowners so as to avoid any damaging works in the countryside.
§ Mrs. FennerOur policy is to avoid or minimise damage to the countryside, and especially to sites of special scientific interest and national parks. To this end we introduced in 1980 a requirement that applicants under the capital grant schemes must notify the Nature Conservancy Council or a national park authority of any proposals they wish to carry out on a site of special scientific interest or in a national park. In the majority of instances proposals do not raise problems or, in discussion with the Ministry's Agricultural Development and Advisory Service, ways are found of overcoming them. In the very few cases where this is not possible we consider, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment whether or not to withhold grant.
In the wider countryside, we require farmers under the capital grant schemes to have regard to conservation in undertaking investments and ADAS is available to give advice on how best to meet this requirement and on conservation generally. This may involve consultation with statutory conservation bodies and the farming and wildlife advisory groups.
Of the cases which have been referred to us for decision we have found it necessary to withhold grant in relatively few and my right hon. Friend has concurred with our decision to pay grant in the rest.