§ Mr. Andrew MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the outcome of the consultation exercise on the proposal to exempt parts of the industrial Pennines from the Government's general policy not to grant-aid predominantly conifer planting in the English uplands; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierOur consultation exercise last year gave rise to a large number of detailed responses and we have given careful consideration to these. Although there was support for some planting within the areas identified by the joint Department of the Environment-Forestry Commission working group, the general view was that the present policy adequately caters for the types and scale of new planting which will be appropriate and that the proposed exception would not be helpful. In recognition of this, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and I have decided not to proceed with the proposal.