§ Mr. BrazierTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many tree preservation orders have been made in each county in England(a) for individual trees and (b) for groups of trees or woods; and what area is covered by the latter case.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThis information is not held centrally. A recent sample survey of 31 districts and boroughs in England found that more than 90 per cent. of tree preservation orders related to trees in or on the fringe of urban areas, and that a large number were on single trees in front gardens. The consultants who carried out the survey for the Department concluded that a typical authority in their sample had over 5,000 trees protected by over 200 orders.