To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to extend the legislation protecting hedgerows to dry stone walls. [17351]

[holding answer 25 November 1997]: The Government have no plans to introduce legislation to control the removal of dry stone walls.We consider that the most appropriate way of tackling the loss of dry stone walls is by encouraging their upkeep. Management grants are currently available in England under the Countryside Stewardship and Environmentally Sensitive Areas schemes operated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.