§ 3.23 p.m.
§ Baroness Nicol asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ Whether they have received the report on the Nature Conservancy Council's review of its holdings which was expected by the end of 1988 and when they expect the Nature Conservancy Council to be able to resume its full range of activities.
§ The Earl of ArranMy Lords, the Government are considering the NCC's report, the contents of which my noble friend Lord Caithness discussed last week with the chairman of the Nature Conservancy Council, Sir William Wilkinson, and his colleagues. We expect to make an announcement very shortly about the Government's response.
§ Baroness NicolMy Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply. I am glad to hear that the report has at last been received. However, can he say what consultations are likely to take place other than those with the Nature Conservancy Council? For example, will any of the voluntary bodies be concerned in the matter? Further, if it is decided to sell off any of the national nature reserves, will it be possible for such bodies to be helped to take them over?
§ The Earl of ArranMy Lords, in answering the question posed by the noble Baroness, Lady Nicol, I can reaffirm the commitment made to your Lordships' House by my noble friend Lord Hesketh in November; namely, that we shall be consulting all interested partners before any final decisions are taken. Such partners will include the RSPB, Wildlife Link and the Royal Society for Nature Conservation.
§ Baroness DavidMy Lords, can the Minister confirm that the matter is at present held so that nothing can happen while we are waiting for the Government's response to the report? When this issue was discussed previously, on 6th December last year, I asked whether the NCC would be able to acquire any sites during this waiting period. I asked especially about Caenlochan, which is a very valuable site and which the NCC would like to acquire. Can the Minister give me an answer in that respect?
§ The Earl of ArranMy Lords, it is important to realise that 234 national nature reserves have already been declared. Further, the NCC agreed last year that it would be sensible, as a rule, not to declare any more of them until the review was complete and future policy agreed with the Government. In the meantime, we have made it perfectly clear to the NCC that we would not object to declaration of future reserves if that was the only way to protect conservation sites of national importance which were under immediate threat. The council's other activities are not directly affected by the review.
§ Lord Cledwyn of PenrhosMy Lords, can the noble Earl tell the House whether the privatisation of those nature reserves in England and Wales is a possibility under the review? Is he further aware that, if that is the case and those nature reserves are put up for sale to any bidder, there will be profound concern and disquiet throughout the whole of England and Wales?
§ The Earl of ArranMy Lords, I can confirm to the noble Lord the Leader of the Opposition that as part of the review the NCC is considering the scope for transferring some of the sites owned by the council to other owners. We shall consider the NCC's proposals most carefully. However, it would be most premature and improper for me to comment on the matter in any detail at this stage. I repeat the assurance which has already been given. The Government will need to be satisfied about the future arrangements for protecting any sites the ownership of which might change.
§ Baroness DavidMy Lords, perhaps the Minister did not altogether understand my question. The question I asked was this. If a valuable site was put up for sale and was ready to be acquired, would the NCC be able to acquire it at present while the matter is under consideration? I also asked what had happened to Caenlochan.
§ The Earl of ArranMy Lords, I can confirm my previous answer that sites can be acquired while the moratorium is in progress.