HC Deb 25 November 1992 vol 214 cc686-7W
Ms. Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what amount of public money was spent by the Countryside Council for Wales for the purchase of national nature reserves in 1991–92; and what is the expected spend for 1992–93.

Sir Wyn Roberts

The Countryside Council for Wales expenditure on the purchase of national nature reserves was £631,562 in 1991–92 and is expected to be £201,000 in 1992–93.

Ms. Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what amount of grant was made by the Countryside Council for Wales under section 38 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to voluntary conservation bodies for the purposes of land purchase in 1991–92; and what is the expected spend for 1992–93.

Sir Wyn Roberts

Section 38 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 was repealed on 1 April 1991. The Countryside Council for Wales operates its land purchase grant scheme under the provisions of section 134 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and section 9 of the Local Government Act 1974, which enable the Countryside Council for Wales to provide grants to partners in the voluntary and public sectors to purchase land for nature and landscape conservation. The amount of grant for land purchase provided in 1991–92 to voluntary conservation bodies was £232,106. Grants totalling £333,325 have been offered for 1992–93.