§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new initiatives he plans to stimulate the planting of hedgerows. [12181]
§ Mr. ClappisonGrants for planting new hedgerows are already available as part of both the environmentally sensitive areas scheme and countryside stewardship, which generally operates outside the ESAs. In the light of stewardship's successful pilot phase, and in advance of its transfer to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 1 April 1996, my right hon. Friend the Minister announced in November that an extra £5 million will be available for new management agreements under countryside stewardship for each of the years 1996–97 and 1997–98. This is in addition to the existing £11.625 million already available under the scheme.