Speeches, etc.

Margaret Thatcher

Article for The Countryman ("We cannot take the countryside for granted ...")

Document type: Speeches, interviews, etc.
Source: The Countryman, March 1980 (pp21-23)
Editorial comments: Available to the press on 4 March 1980 - e.g., see The Times, 5 March.
Importance ranking: Minor
Word count: 574
Themes: Education, Environment, Transport

THE PRIME MINISTER

‘We cannot take the countryside for granted …’

Anyone who cares for the countryside—its economic prosperity and its social well-being as well as its physical appearance—also has a special affection for The Countryman. For more than half a century, it has voiced that concern and established for itself a firm reputation as a journal of profound good sense and one which brings to its reader, both in town and countryside, the authentic flavour of rural life.

Lately there has been increased unease about the future of our rural areas. A new term, ‘rural deprivation’, has been coined to describe those problems which lead some to fear a wholesale decline of village communities. A series of publications have drawn attention to them, notably reports from the Associations of County and District Councils, and from the National Council of Social Service. I recognise the fears expressed and the importance of ensuring that the needs and aspirations of those who live and work in our villages are not overlooked. We intend to do all we can, including a new, [end p1] flexible approach to planning, to help conserve the countryside and to promote not only its traditional industries—agriculture, forestry and food processing—but also small businesses which can play a key role in generating new jobs.

I know, of course, of the particular concern about the closure of village schools. Small village schools have had a long and honourable history, contributing greatly to the welfare and traditions of the area whose children they have educated. And I am acutely conscious of the loss of cultural and social activities that can be created by their closure. All these factors are considered most carefully, along with the education arguments, before approval is given to close a school. As many such schools have closed over the last four decades there may be little further scope for ‘rationalisation’ in this way. I therefore expect the majority of future proposals to relate to schools in towns.

Adequate public transport is essential in rural areas. Although many country people own cars, many others depend on public transport for getting about. We want to see new types of service develop in the countryside to supplement existing buses and we want to encourage greater efficiency to keep the costs down. Our proposals for reforming bus licensing will make it easier for people to start up new bus services and to help each other by sharing cars and [end p2] other small vehicles: this will do much to help country people make essential journeys.

On conservation, too, we have already taken steps. We are now working on legislation on countryside and wild life which will secure important advances in protection of birds, key habitats and landscape, including the conservation of moorland. An important feature will be the power proposed for local authorities to make management agreements for the purpose of protecting land of scenic importance.

In addition, we are legislating to provide for the formation of the National Heritage Fund. Independent trustees will be able to assist in the purchase not only of heritage buildings and works of art but also of land—of scenic, scientific or historic significance—of such outstanding quality that it merits holding in trust for the nation's benefit. Furthermore, we propose to retain the system whereby land, art and buildings can be accepted by the government in lieu of payment of Capital Transfer Tax.

We cannot take the countryside for granted. We shall show, as a Government, that that is a lesson we have learned well.