§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any new proposals for protecting the countryside.
§ Mr. MacleanIn February the Government issued "Action for the Countryside", a comprehensive statement of our policies for the English countryside. It gave a clear statement of our policies for supporting the rural economy and protecting the countryside. It introduced a number of new initiatives and extended existing ones designed to encourage action to stimulate the rural economy, protect wildlife, protect and enhance landscapes and promote access and public enjoyment of the countryside. I am fully committed to this initiative. The initiatives will be introduced throughout this year and beyond to carry forward and further develop the policies announced in "Action for the Countryside".