§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to withhold grants for agricultural developments which might endanger the habit of the laughing goose; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 27 January 1988]: Section 17 of the Agriculture Act, 1986 imposes on 332W Ministers charged with agricultural responsibilities, an obligation to have regard to the endeavour to achieve a reasonable balance between the interests of agriculture and a number of other considerations including flora and fauna. A blanket prohibition on grants as suggested would be at variance with that obligation: individual cases will be considered on their merits.