HC Deb 11 November 1991 vol 198 cc395-6W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures the Government are planning to introduce to protect hedgerows; and when these will be presented.

Mr. Yeo

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave today to the hon. Member for Glanford and Scunthorpe (Mr. Morley).

Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to bring forward detailed legislation to protect hedgerows.

Mr. Baldry

In July I announced the Government's revised proposals to protect hedgerows. These include two main elements: a proposed scheme to require owners and occupiers to notify intended removal of hedgerows—linked with new powers for local authorities to register key hedgerows; and proposed new incentives to promote environmentally beneficial management.

The former requires legislation, which we shall seek to introduce when parliamentary time permits. However, the proposed incentives scheme does not depend on new legislation and we are discussing with the Countryside Commission and others the best means of taking early steps to implement this.