§ 3.16 p.m.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will give an assurance that the code of guidance for owners and occupiers of SSSIs, provided for by Section 33 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, will be considered by both Houses before the Summer Recess, so that the renotification of these areas by the NCC will not be unduly delayed and the serious risk of damage to them will be reduced.
§ The Earl of AvonMy Lords, Her Majesty's Government intend to lay the code of guidance before both 309 Houses of Parliament in time for it to be considered before the Summer Recess.
Lord ChelwoodMy Lords, I am most grateful for that reply. Will my noble friend use his influence to make sure that time is found for this by drawing the attention of the business managers to the fact that, were it not found, the Nature Conservancy Council would find itself in a very embarrassing and difficult position since it not only has to bring the code of guidance to the attention of some 30,000 owners and occupiers of SSSIs but also to bring to their attention, on our instructions, the scientific value of the areas they occupy and the damage that could easily be caused unwittingly?
§ The Earl of AvonMy Lords, I take note of my noble friend's remarks, but of course this is a matter for the usual channels.
§ Lord LeatherlandMy Lords, as this Question refers to the owners and occupiers of SSSIs, can he tell us what they are, in case any of us perhaps do not know?
§ The Earl of AvonMy Lords, I am very sad to know that the noble Lord, Lord Leatherland, did not attend the few days we spent on the Wildlife and Countryside Act. "SSSI" stands for a site of special scientific interest.
§ Lord MelchettMy Lords, are the Government aware that there are a number of sites of special scientific interest which have been damaged or destroyed since the passing of the Act and that at this very moment one of the most important of the proposed sites on West Sedgemoor has drainage equipment on it, in clear breach of the voluntary agreement by the local farmers and landowners that they would do no such thing? Would the Government expedite the introduction of those sections of the Act which would allow the Nature Conservancy Council to do something about this quite deplorable state of affairs?
§ The Earl of AvonMy Lords, it would be impossible for me at Question Time to comment on all the various sites which are at the moment under discussion. However, as the noble Lord is aware, we are progressing quite speedily in this matter.
§ Lord MelchettMy Lords, when will the Government introduce the sections of the Act which will allow the NCC to delay these destructive operations for 12 months?
§ The Earl of AvonMy Lords, as soon as we can.