§ 12. Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is now in a position to announce his decision on the staffing of the Nature Conservancy Council in the light of the Rayner report.
§ Mr. WaldegraveNot yet, Sir.
§ Mr. BennettCan the Minister confirm that the Rayner inquiry into nature conservancy found that there was an appalling lack of staff and resources to carry out the functions of the Nature Conservancy Council, and no resources to carry out the new provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981? Is it not a major scandal that 80 per cent. of the sites of scientific interest that should have been registered have not been registered because of shortage of staff? Is it not high time that the Government announced a substantial increase in staff?
§ Mr. WaldegraveI share the hon. Gentleman's concern that the registration of SSSIs should proceed as quickly as possible. Discussions with the NCC on staffing levels continue, and will take that point into account.
§ Mr. Kenneth Carlisle1 was glad to hear my hon. Friend's reply. Under the 1981 Act, is it not vital that the programme for renotification of SSSIs is carried out speedily? Is there not also the vital task of identifying new sites that should be notified? Unless the NCC has that capacity, the goal of the 1981 Act will not be realised.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI agree with my hon. Friend. It is worth remembering that the early stage of renotification 424 is the slowest stage. The numbers being notified should increase quite quickly. However, I share the concern of both hon. Gentlemen about this matter.