§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what(a) grants and (b) other support will be available from his Department for the conservation and protection of dry stone walls from April 1996. [2329]
§ Mr. Ancram[holding answer 27 November 1995]: The only scheme with this provision in Northern Ireland will be the sub-programme for agriculture and rural development. It was suspended temporarily from 24 March 1995 to allow an assessment to be made of the financial commitments to cover the applications already received. No decision has been made yet when it can be reopened.
This scheme offered 50 per cent. grant rate on a maximum expenditure of £25,000 on a variety of items including the provision, replacement and improvement of dry stone walls.