§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the Nature Conservancy Council to complete its assessment of evidence concerning the survival of otters in the United Kingdom; and whether it is the Government's intention to add this endangered species to the Schedule to the Wild Creatures and Wild Plants Act 1975.
§ Mr. MarksI understand that the Nature Conservancy Council expects to make an interim statement early next year about the work on the status of the otter which it is currently undertaking with the appropriate voluntary bodies. I shall consider the need for measures to protect the otter in the light of the Council's advice.
§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many sites of special scientific interest and national nature reserves the Nature Conservancy Council has specifically established to safeguard otter populations.
§ Mr. MarksNone, although otters will occur in some reserves. The protection of habitats is not considered the most effective means of protecting wide-ranging species such as otters.