§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what grants are available to farmers(a) to maintain ancient hedgerows and (b) to plant new ones.
§ Mr. GummerUnder the present farm capital grant scheme, the agriculture improvement scheme, grant is available for the provision, replacement or improvement of hedges, including hedgerow trees. The rates of grant are 60 per cent. in the less favoured areas and 30 per cent. elsewhere.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much grant has been paid out to date under the agriculture improvement scheme for the provision, replacement or improvement of(a) hedges, (b) walls, banks and dykes built of materials traditional to the area in question and (c) gates, stiles and footbridges on public rights of way.
62W
§ Mr. GummerI regret that this information is not available in the form requested. The following are estimates of grant paid in the United Kingdom under the agriculture improvement scheme since 1 April 1986:
£ million Hedges and associated gates, stiles and foot bridges 1.4 Traditional walls, banks and dykes and associated gates, stiles and footbridges 1.1 Gates, stiles and foot bridges on public rights of way are not separately identified.
Grants for hedge planting and laying are also available under the agriculture and horticulture development scheme.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what grants are available to farmers(a) to maintain ancient stone walls and (b) to erect new ones.
§ Mr. GummerUnder the present farm capital grant scheme, the agriculture improvement scheme, grant is available for the provision, replacement or improvement of walls built of materials traditional to the locality. The rates of grant are 60 per cent. in the less favoured areas and 30 per cent. elsewhere.