HC Deb 09 July 1985 vol 82 cc405-6W
Sir Hector Monro

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland with whom he consulted outside Her Majesty's Government before accepting European Economic Community regulation 797/85.

Mr. Younger

Before European Economic Community regulation 797/85 was approved on 12 March I and my colleagues had the benefit of representations from a wide range of interests. Prior to its implementation I circulated a consultation paper to those listed below.

  • National Farmers Union for Scotland
  • Scottish Landowners Federation
  • The North of Scotland College of Agriculture
  • The West of Scotland Agricultural College
  • East of Scotland College of Agriculture
  • Crofters Commission
  • Countryside Commission for Scotland
  • Red Deer Commission
  • Highlands and Islands Development Board
  • Nature Conservancy Council
  • Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland
  • Scottish Agricultural Securities Corporation
  • Committee of Scottish Clearing Banks
  • Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
  • Scottish Tourist Board
  • The Scottish Building Contract Committee
  • National Trust for Scotland
  • Rural Forum Scotland
  • Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments in Scotland
  • Scottish Development Agency
  • Scottish Milk Marketing Board
  • Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland
  • Aberdeen and District Milk Marketing Board
  • North of Scotland Milk Marketing Board
  • Scottish Branch of royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
  • Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society Ltd.
  • Argival Plastics Ltd.
  • Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (Scottish Office)
  • Co-operative Union Ltd.
  • hayes, McCubbin MacFarlane (Agricultural Consultants)
  • The Planning Exchange, Glasgow
  • The Scottish Wildlife Trust
  • The British Deer Farmers' Association
  • The Scottish Association of Young Farmers
  • Friends of the Earth
  • The Small Farmers Association (Lewis Stewart)
  • Loch Lomond Planning Group, Department of Physical Planning, Strathclyde Regional Council
  • Lothian Region Planning Group
  • Highland Regional Council
  • Centre for the Study of Public Policy
  • PEIDA, Planning and Economic Consultants
  • 406
  • Strathclyde Regional Council—Public Relations Department—Library
  • SDP Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Group

Sir Hector Monro

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will implement European Economic Community regulation 797/85, relating to measures to improve the efficiency of agricultural structures.

Mr. Younger

The Government's decision on the implementation of European Economic Community Regulation 797/85 was announced yesterday in the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to a question by the hon. Member for Ilford, South (Mr. Thorne).

Sir Hector Monro

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the implications for landowners of European Economic Community proposals for forestry under articles 15, 18, 20 and 22 of EEC regulation 797/85; and how the effect of this regulation compares with the present United Kingdom planting schemes, with particular reference to small hectarages.

Mr. Younger

The Government's decision on the implementation of EEC Regulation 797/85 was announced yesterday in the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to a Question by the hon. Member for Ilford South (Mr. Thorne).

With regard to articles 15, 18, 20 and 22 of the EEC Regulation, articles 18 and 22 comprise enabling provisions which have, at present, no forestry implications for landowners in the United Kingdom. The forestry provisions of article 15 will be considered in the next review, later this year, of economic conditions in the hills and uplands. It is not proposed to adopt a national scheme implementing the forestry provisions of article 20 and it is not possible, therefore, to make a direct comparison between this article's effects and those of the present United Kingdom planting schemes. The provision for shelter belts which exists under the present agricultural grant schemes will, however, be continued, with rates of grant of 15 per cent. for conifers and 30 per cent. for broadleaves. A higher grant of 60 per cent. will be paid in less-favoured areas.

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