asked Her Majesty's Government:Why, since it is suggested (H. L. debate, 3rd June 1985, col. 600) that the formula "with the consent of the Treasury", or similar, is invariably included in legislation which confers a power or imposes a duty, which might require public expenditure, on a Minister of the Crown, time and expense have not been saved by making permanent provision to this effect in an Interpretation or Finance Act.

Reference in individual statutes to the need to obtain Treasury consent in specific situations serves a useful purpose in alerting departments and others to the Treasury's responsibilities, in particular for public expenditure. Although a permanent provision in, for example, the Interpretation Act would in theory achieve the same result, in practice mistakes occur and the provision would not necessarily be so effective. The time and expenditure involved in inserting the existing formula are minimal.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What was the level of expenditure by central Government in the financial years 1973–74, 1974–75 and 1978–79.

Figures for the central Government component of the public expenditure planning total are:

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many names appear on the petitions protesting at the hunting with hounds in the New Forest which have been handed to the Forestry Commission; how many individual cards and letters have been received; what consideration has been given to the wishes of the complainants; and what replies have been sent to them.

Since the beginning of 1984, the Forestry Commission has received one petition signed by 4,800 people against deer hunting with hounds, and two petitions against all hunting with hounds, one signed by 3,686 people and the other by 27 people. The commission has also received almost 1,200 pre-printed postcards carrying a protest against all hunting with hounds, and over 300 letters on this subject, more than half of which were pre-printed and similar to the postcards. The commission replied only to individually written letters. The wishes of the complainants were noted but the commission remains of the view that it would not be justified in banning traditional hunting in the New Forest.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they can confirm that the Chief Charity Commissioner has found no cause for complaint or concern as to the support given by the Caroline Gourlay Trust to the London Centre for International Peacebuilding.

I understand that following extensive inquiries the Chief Charity Commissioner is satisfied that the Caroline Gourlay Trust is not furthering any work of the London Centre for International Peacebuilding, which is not charitable in law.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will announce the detailed arrangements for the local inquiry into the order designating the North Pennines as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Yes. The local inquiry will open at 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday, 8th October, in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Durham. The Inspector appointed to hold the inquiry is Sir Stephen Berthon, KCB, and he will be assisted by Mr G. A. Goulty, who will act as assessor on questions of landscape merit. We will ensure that the arrangements are fully publicised.