§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures the Government intend to take in order to ensure the continued safeguarding of amenity trees.
§ Mr. BaldryJointly with the Welsh Office, my Department has today issued a consultation paper setting out our proposals to enhance the effectiveness of the tree preservation order system and to clarify and streamline the relevant statutory provisions and procedures. The paper also gives details of the Government's proposal to give powers to local planning authorities to make hedgerow management orders to safeguard key hedgerows, with payment to farmers or others for upkeep. I have arranged for copies of the paper to be placed in the Library of the House.