HC Deb 21 June 1973 vol 858 cc193-6W
Mr. Neave

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what rôle he intends for the proposed new Nature Conservancy Council in the making of representations and the giving of advice to Government Departments, local authorities and other bodies on matters relating to nature conservation; and how he proposes to avoid duplication by other public bodies in carrying out this function.

Mr. Lawson

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what rôle he intends for the proposed new Nature Conservancy Council in the making of representations and the giving of advice to Government Departments, local authorities and other bodies on matters relating to nature conservation; and how he proposes to avoid duplication by other public bodies in carrying out this function.

Mr. Rippon

The Government intend that the proposed Nature Conservancy Council should be the means by which Government Departments, local authorities and other bodies can obtain advice on nature conservation matters; and that the proposed council should make such representations on these matters as it considers appropriate. The advisory function of NERC will be strictly within the context of its rôle as a research council without any executive function on nature conservation. The close working relationship between the proposed council and NERC should avoid any duplication.

Mr. Neave

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give assurances that the proposed new Nature Conservancy Council will have discretion to decide for itself what research relating to the council's functions it may initiate and conduct under control of conservancy council staff as distinct from research which the council may commission or support.

Mr. Lawson

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give assurances that the proposed new Nature Conservancy Council will have discretion to decide for itself what research relating to the council's functions it may initiate and conduct under control of conservancy council staff as distinct from research which the council may commission or support.

Mr. Rippon

I intend that, within the resources available to it from time to time, the proposed council should itself decide what research it should initiate and have carried out by its own staff and what research it should commission or support.

Mr. Neave

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what research and indoor laboratory facilities will be available to members of the staff of the proposed new Nature Conservancy Council for the pursuit of such research activity as may be engaged upon by conservancy council staff.

Mr. Lawson

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what research and indoor laboratory facilities will be available to members of the staff of the proposed new Nature Conservancy Council for the pursuit of such research activity as may be engaged upon by conservancy council staff.

Mr. Rippon

Under the close working relationship envisaged between the proposed Nature Conservancy Council and NERC there will be arrangements under which staff of the proposed council will be able to use research and indoor laboratory facilities of NERC for research activities which the proposed council decides to carry out itself. Similarly arrangements are envisaged under which staff of NERC will have access to the nature reserves of the proposed council.

Mr. Neave

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether members of the staff of the proposed new Nature Conservancy Council who may engage in research on behalf of the council will have similar rights in respect of the publication of signed articles which were enjoyed by research workers with the Nature Conservancy when that conservancy formed part of the Natural Environmental Research Council.

Mr. Lawson

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether members of the staff of the proposed new Nature Conservancy Council who may engage in research on behalf of the council will have similar rights in respect of the publication of signed articles which were enjoyed by research workers with the Nature Conservancy when that conservancy formed part of the Natural Environmental Research Council.

Mr. Rippon

The rights as regards the publication of articles by staff of the proposed Nature Conservancy Council will be for decision by the proposed council, but I would expect that decision to be based on the practices which apply to the present Nature Conservancy as part of the Natural Environmental Research Council.

Mr. Neave

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his intentions for the proposed new Nature Conservancy Council in relation to the continuance and possible development of the international activity of the former Nature Conservancy.

Mr. Lawson

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his intentions for the proposed new Nature Conservancy Council in relation to the continuance and possible development of the international activity of the former Nature Conservancy.

Mr. Rippon

I intend, within the context of the Government's general policy on international activities, to encourage the proposed Nature Conservancy Council to participate fully in international work.