Purchase Grant Scheme (Hansard, 9 May 1996)

§ Mr. Merchant
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when he intends to consult on detailed proposals covering the remaining counties of England to exempt small rural settlements from the purchase grant scheme; and if he will make a statement; [28956]
(2) when he intends to consult on detailed proposals covering the remaining counties of England to exempt small rural settlements from the purchase grant scheme; and if he will make a statement. [29183]

§ Mr. Curry
In March we issued a consultation paper on how we propose to exempt small rural settlements in England from the new purchase grant scheme. The paper set out the way we propose to implement the designation in England, and invited comments on our general approach, and on the detailed proposals for the first 15 counties and areas. Comments were sought from local authorities, housing associations, rural groups and other interested parties.
Today we issued a supplement to that paper, which gives detailed proposals for a further 15 counties or areas, covering Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly; Cumbria; Devon; Durham; Gloucestershire; Greater Manchester; Hampshire; Hereford and Worcester; Hertfordshire; Humberside; Isle of Wight; Kent; Shropshire; Oxfordshire and Wiltshire.
We will also consult on the remaining areas of England shortly.
Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Copies of papers for each individual county or area providing copies of any maps needed have also been placed in both Libraries.

§ Mr. Fabricant
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Environment Agency has now prepared its code on enforcement practice. [29042]

§ Mr. Clappison
The Environment Agency's code on enforcement practice was adopted on 23 April and copies have been placed in the Library of the House. It takes the form of a statement of enforcement policy which sets out how the agency will operate, and detailed guidance for warranted officers, setting out their responsibilities. The documents will be revised over time in the light of experience and comments from all the agency's customers.