§ Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, having regard to the failure of the Nature Conservancy Council to recommend for exemption from capital transfer tax ancient or semi-natural broadleaved woodlands of less than two hectares, what proposals his Department has to ensure the protection of such of those small woodlands that are important to the conservation of wildlife on the wider countryside.
§ Mrs. RumboldI refer my hon. Friend to the Government statement made on 24 July 1985 setting out the new policy for broadleaved woodlands, and the242W guidelines for management of these woodlands issued by the Forestry Commission last September after consultation with the Countryside Commission, Nature Conservancy Council and other bodies.
§ Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the extent and purpose of the Nature Conservancy Council's survey of private woodlands; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe NCC's woodlands survey is being carried out in order to compile a register of ancient woodlands to include all probable ancient semi-natural woodlands, other woodlands, such as plantations, on ancient woodland sites, arid some recent semi-natural woods which are known or believed to be important sites for nature conservation. Woodlands less than 2 hectares in size are excluded. The purpose of the register is to identify those areas where nature conservation values are high and appropriate management is required to maintain those values.
§ Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will inquire of the Nature conservancy council on what basis it decided that ancient or semi-natural broadleaved woodlands of less than two hectares should not be recommended for exemption from capital transfer tax; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe nature of advice given by the Nature Conservancy Council to the Inland Revenue in respect of claims for exemption from capital transfer tax or relief from capital gains tax is a matter for the council itself. Woodlands within sites of special scientific interest or national nature reserves would normally qualify regardless of their size, but it would be impracticable to survey all ancient or semi-natural broadleaved woodland of less than 2 hectares throughout Greater Britain for this purpose.