§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Government expect to publish the draft Hedgerow Protection Regulations for consultation; and if the Government propose to introduce the hedgerow protection scheme by July. [34572]
§ Mr. ClappisonSection 97 of the Environment Act 1995 requires that hedgerow protection regulations are subject to consultation and approval by both Houses under the affirmative resolution procedure before they can come into effect. We expect to publish the draft regulations for consultation later in the summer, with the aim of laying the regulations in Parliament by the end of the year.