§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when Her Majesty's Government first committed themselves to bring forward new legislation to protect hedgerows; on how many occasions and in which documents that commitment has been repeated subsequently; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanProposals to give local authorities powers to protect hedgerows were first announced in the Government White Paper, "This Common Inheritance" in September 1990. Revised proposals were announced in July 1991 and restated in the first year report of the White Paper (September 1991) and our policy document "Action for the Countryside" (February 1992). Due to pressure on the parliamentary programme, we were unable to introduce appropriate legislation this Session, but we continue to support the Hedgerows Bill introduced by my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey, East (Mr. Ainsworth).