HC Deb 26 January 1995 vol 253 cc374-6W
Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what consultation he has had with the chairman of the Countryside Council for Wales concerning the reduction in support for the Wales Environment Education Committee;

(2) what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Countryside Council for Wales concerning the commencement of the Plynlymon Elenydd experiment;

(3) what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Countryside Council for Wales regarding the achievement of the United Kingdom action plan under the Government's obligations under the biodiversity treaty in (a) 1995–96 and (b) subsequent years;

(4) what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Countryside Council for Wales concerning the commencement of the heritage coast principle extension test; and if he will make a statement;

(5) what consultation he has had with the chairman of the Countryside Council for Wales concerning the reduction of support for (a) the year of the coast programme, (b) the makers of Wales and (c) earth science trails projects;

(6) what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Countryside Council for Wales concerning the commencement of the Carneddau commons management experiment;

(7) what consultation he has had with the chairman of the Countryside Council for Wales regarding the achievement of the obligations under the European Union habitats and species directive;

(8) what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Countryside Council for Wales concerning the reduced support for the national nature reserve and biodiversity for the layman interpretation programmes.

Mr. Redwood

I met the chairman of the Countryside Council for Wales on 10 and 24 January 1995 to discuss a very wide range of issues concerning the council's functions. I will publish the conclusions in due course.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from the Countryside Council for Wales concerning changes in legislation pending in relation to the administration of the(a) Tir Cymen and (b) hedgerow renovation schemes; what increase in staffing his Department will require to administer such schemes; and if he will give an estimate of the date of publication of any amended statutory provision enabling a corresponding transfer of responsibilities.

Mr. Redwood

I have received no such representations from the Countryside Council for Wales. The necessary statutory provision which would enable the Tir Cymen and hedgerow renovation schemes to be transferred to the Welsh Office and the countryside stewardship scheme in England to be transferred from the Countryside Commission to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is in clause 80 of the Environment Bill which had its First Reading in another place on 1 December 1994. But no decisions have yet been made on whether the Welsh schemes should be transferred, or on the staffing increase which my Department would require.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those sites of special scientific interest in national parks which are to be transferred for management purposes to local authorities; and if he will list all those sites of special scientific interest subject to international designation or classified as particularly fragile, intended to be excluded from any such transfer.

Mr. Redwood

No decisions have yet been made regarding the functions of the Countryside Council for Wales.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what consultation he has had with the local authority associations in Wales in relation to the transfer of powers, duties and resources from the Countryside Council for Wales to the local authorities for (a) public rights of way, (b) local landscape and nature conservation schemes. (c) country parks, (d) publications on sites of conservation interest, (d) oversight and monitoring of small sites of special scientific interest and (f) other miscellaneous duties and powers; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what consultations he has had with the nature conservation voluntary bodies concerning transfers of functions, duties and resources for the management of national nature reserves; what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Countryside Council for Wales in relation to the competence and capacity of voluntary bodies to undertake such work; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Redwood

I have not consulted local authority associations or others on these matters as discussions are still taking place with the Countryside Council for Wales. If I decide that the CCW should play less of a direct role in any of these activities, I will ensure that interested parties are consulted.