HC Deb 31 January 1992 vol 202 cc683-4W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the proportion of costs for the environmentally sensitive areas scheme which is devoted to administration(a) in 1991 and (b) when the environmentally sensitive areas extensions and new environmentally sensitive areas are in operation; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gummer

Administration costs, including monitoring to assess the environmental impact of the environmentally sensitive areas scheme, currently amount to approximately 25 per cent. of the total costs. For the future my objective is to reduce these costs while maintaining the advisory role of project officers and their associated work in securing the environmental objectives of the scheme.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list(a) the hectarage and (b) the amount of money allocated to Pennine Dales ESA in (i) 1991–92 and (ii) when the new conditions will operate; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gummer

The Pennine Dales environmentally sensitive area covers 15,970 hectares which will increase to 46,370 hectares under the new arrangements I recently introduced. Payments in the current financial year are forecast to total approximately £1 million. Future spending in this environmentally sensitive area will depend on the level of uptake but, given the increase in the area and the other changes to the scheme could exceed £3.5 million.