§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met the chairman of the Countryside Agency to discuss rural proofing. [115575]
§ Peter HainI have not met with the chairman of the Countryside Agency to discuss rural proofing. The Countryside Agency is an English body, which is responsible for countryside issues in England only. The Welsh equivalent is the Countryside Council for Wales, which is the Government's statutory adviser on sustaining natural beauty, wildlife and the opportunity for outdoor enjoyment in Wales and its inshore waters.
As with most rural issues, the matter is fully devolved to the Assembly and it would therefore be for the Welsh Assembly Government to handle these issues. However, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales has regular meetings with the Assembly Minister for Environment, Planning and the Countryside to discuss a variety of issues. My ministerial colleague and I would be happy to meet with representatives from the Countryside Council for Wales.