Marine Nature Reserves (Hansard, 12 October 1990)

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment (Baroness Blatch)
My Lords, I am unable to give a specific date when the third marine nature reserve may be announced. However, consultation is continuing on the proposed MNR at Menai Straits. As the noble Baroness is aware, the Nature Conservancy Council has identified a further five sites as being suitable for MNR status in addition to those already designated at Lundy and Skomer Island.

§ Baroness Nicol
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that not unexpected Answer. Will she accept that on a visit to Skomer earlier this year I learnt of the damage that had been done during the long consultations about the second marine nature reserve? Will the Government consider simplifying the consultation procedures in order that the whole process may be speeded up? Will they also consider having a single by-law-making authority, because difficulties arise in that regard once an area is designated?

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, I understand the frustration behind the suggestions made by the noble Baroness. We shall always consider any way that will expedite the process. I am sure the noble Baroness will understand that co-operation is essential not only in negotiating the designation of an MNR but also in its later management. Unless there is co-operation between all concerned the later management will be damaged. Therefore, bearing in mind the fact that we prefer a negotiated settlement, we shall consider any ways of expediting the proceedings without losing the co-operation of everyone concerned.

§ Lord McIntosh of Haringey
My Lords, we all agree that co-operation is essential both in designating and in operating a marine nature reserve. However, is it necessary to have 100 per cent. agreement for each reserve, as I understand was the case at Skomer? The requirement to seek consensus before acting has never been evident in any other part of the Government's policies.

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, the management of MNRs is important and therefore we prefer to have co-operation at all times. As regards Menai, I understand that a new consultation document based on the fairly major objections is about to be put out 526 for consultation. It is hoped that on the basis of that progress will be made. However, I take the point that the noble Lord is making.

§ Lord Moran
My Lords, is it not the case that when the Wildlife and Countryside Act was passed in 1981 seven sites were identified, of which only two have since been designated? Is it not possible to speed up the procedures, which appear to have been lamentably slow?

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, I recognise the frustration felt on all sides about the slowness of designation, the difficulty in obtaining a consensus and the degree of co-operation required in order for the management to be effective. One or two of the sites are operating well in a voluntary way prior to formal designation. However, again I take into account the noble Lord's comments. We shall do what we can to expedite the matter without losing sight of the fact that co-operation will be essential.

§ Baroness White
My Lords, at the risk of wearying the House I must reinforce what was said by my noble friends. In my long experience of public life I have never come across a more time-consuming procedure than that required to designate a marine nature reserve. It is an appalling area of bureaucracy. I hope that the noble Baroness will not satisfy herself with fair words, although we are always glad to hear from her. The situation ought not to be allowed to continue.

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, also at the risk of boring the House, as the noble Baroness repeated a point I must repeat my answer. I am conscious of the fact that we must look at all ways of speeding up the process. However, unless we receive a high degree of co-operation the problems that existed prior to designation will continue afterwards. We must avoid that situation if possible.

§ Baroness White
My Lords, it is a question not merely of speeding up the process but of altering it.

§ Lord Williams of Elvel
My Lords, can the Minister comment on the suspicion now felt that sub-aqua divers are holding up progress? They did so in Skomer and it appears that they are doing so now. If that is the case, should not we be doing something about it?

§ Baroness Blatch
My Lords, I hesitate to be specific in my answer to the noble Lord's question so I shall be guarded and say that if I am wrong I shall write to him. I understand that the sub-aqua divers have been satisfied and have reached an accommodation. I believe that in this case the yachting fraternity is holding up the procedure.