HC Deb 21 July 1982 vol 28 cc392-3
16. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library a document assessing the operation of the Wildlife and Country side Act, following its first year of operation.

Mr. King

I see no need for a report on all of the different parts of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. However, assessments of tae provisions of the Act which concern the Nature Conservancy Council and the Countryside Commission will be made by the bodies in their annual reports which are laid before Parliament.

Mr. Dalyell

How can we explain the continuing and irretrievable loss of so much unique habitat, not least on the Minister's own doorstep at West Sedgemoor?

Mr. King

The problems of protecting habitat have been with us for a considerable time. We are worried about some of the impact of this. I am worried about some of the incidents that took place during the consultation period before the notification of an SSSI. I take the matter seriously. I shall discuss it with agricultural and landowning interests. If we cannot achieve a satisfactory outcome of that we shall face a much more difficult circumstance, which will have to be considered carefully.

Mr. Colvin

Will my right hon. Friend say what action he is taking with regard to West Sedgemoor, which is facing erosion as a result of the activity of local farmers, before it is decided whether to designate it as an SSSI?

Mr. King

The matter is under discussion between the bodies concerned. Considerable consultations are taking place. My hon. Friend will be aware that the most important basis on which we can secure a proper agreement is by good will and sensible consultations between the parties concerned. There are conflicting interests, but we shall not protect the countryside and valuable habitats simply by Acts of Parliament and imposing legislation. We must secure the support of all parties. That is the Government's approach. It is the sensible one at the moment.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great deal of anxiety in the North-West of England about the future of Kinder Scout? Will he do all that he can to help the Peak District national park to purchase that land if it is otherwise unable to do so because it is outbid by private interests? Will he insist that such private interests should respect all of the access agreements and should not change the character of the moorlands or ruin them, as many other agricultural developers have done?

Mr. King

I am aware of the anxiety about Kinder Scout, but I would rather not comment further now. The matter is being considered by the bodies concerned. The type of consideration with which the hon. Gentleman is familiar as a result of his interest in these matters is in our minds at the moment.

Mr. Denis Howell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 went through Parliament its foundation, which was recommended to us, was the voluntary method of reaching agreement? Does he agree that it is clear from what he has said today that such voluntary agreement has broken down, as many of us feared it would, and that there have been serious consequences for important sites, the drainage of wetlands and use of scarce resources? Will the Minister take the matter seriously? We must return to it to protect the countryside and wildlife. Does he agree that we may need planning law to achieve that?

Mr. King

I repudiate entirely the opening part of the right hon. Gentleman's contribution. If we are to have an effective response, it requires co-operation and good will among the parties concerned. I hope that he will lend his good offices and those of his right hon. and hon. Friends to try to make the system work and not ally himself with certain bodies which are concerned to prove that the system cannot work, which could do lasting damage to the British countryside and habitat. The system can be made to work. The Government are determined to make sure that it does.