§ Mrs. OrganTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about grants for rural development and conservation in the uplands of England. [33229]
§ Mr. MorleyThe future of the rural economy and future protection of the uplands countryside are closely linked, and we need to continue to develop our grant schemes to help to strengthen that relationship.
I am therefore issuing new proposals for an experimental scheme, under which an integrated package of Objective 5b rural development grants and Countryside Stewardship grants could be put together to meet local employment and conservation needs. This experiment will apply in two areas of England. Secondly, I am proposing to extend the range of grants for the conservation of the uplands under the Countryside Stewardship scheme.
I am issuing today a consultation paper setting out these proposals in detail. We will welcome comments by the end of May.
Copies of the consultation paper are being placed in the Library of the House.