§ Mr. Hicksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how much grant aid his Department has provided through the Countryside Commission to owners and occupiers of land in areas of outstanding natural beauty; and what was the corresponding figure three years ago;
(2) how much grant aid his Department has provided through the Countryside Commission to local authorities to cover expenditure in areas of outstanding natural beauty; and what was the corresponding figure three years ago.
§ Mr. WaldegraveTotal expenditure by the Countryside Commission on grants to private individuals, and to organisations and local authorities and public bodies throughout the countryside for the years 1981–82 and 1984–85 was as follows:
£million 1981–82 £million 1984–85 Private 1.9 2.6 Public 5.1 5.3 The figures for 1984–85 are provisional and subject to audit. The commission does not record figures separately for expenditure in areas of outstanding natural beauty, nor does it distinguish between landowners and other private persons or between local authorities and other public bodies.