HC Deb 21 April 1982 vol 22 c266
15. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for West Lothian on 17 February,Official Report, c. 279, what contact he has had with the Nature Conservancy Council in relation to sites of special scientific interest, such as Halvergate, Walland and the Berwyn Mountains.

Mr. Macfarlane

The Nature Conservancy Council maintains regular contact with Ministers and officials of my Department on important issues affecting sites of special scientific interest.

Mr. Dalyell

What exactly did Ministers say to Sir Ralph Verney and his colleagues on the Nature Conservancy Council about Walland? [HON. MEMBERS: "Where?"] Walland, in Romney Marsh. Did they tell him that he should withdraw the NCC's objections on the grounds that Ministers could not provide the money?

Mr. Macfarlane

I am happy to set the record straight. The NCC discussed the circumstances of the case fully with my colleague the Minister of State at MAFF and myself.

Mr. Dobson

Maff off.

Mr. Macfarlane

The council indicated that, in the light of its general priorities, it did not consider this to be a case in which the high cost of the arrangements necessary to prevent drainage works from being carried out could be afforded unless additional resources were made available to it. We concurred with that judgment. We did not consider that an additional allocation of funds was justified. The council accordingly informed the owner that it could not maintain objection to the proposed drainage works. I would also point out that in that area in Romney the RSPB—the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds—[Interruption.] I understood that there was difficulty in understanding initials. Some years ago the RSPB sold part of the bird sanctuary on Walland Marsh.

Mr. Wilkinson

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. What is MAFF?

Mr. Speaker

Order. It is no use asking me.

Mr. Dobson

Ask Princess Anne.