§ 66. Mr. Flanneryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to protect the rural environment of hedges, hedgerows, walls and the wildlife of the adjacent environment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldYes. The Countryside Commission and the Nature Conservancy Council have received substantial increases in their grants-in-aid to encourage sound conservation practices. Grants are also available under the agriculture improvement scheme for environmentally positive schemes including the planting of trees and hedges, and the building of traditional walls, banks and dykes.