§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he has been notified of the decision of the Nature Conservancy Council whether it intends to acquire compulsorily Banks Marshes under the terms of the 1949 Act;
(2) what will be the basis for determining the price to be paid for Banks Marshes in the event of the Nature Conservancy Council deciding compulsorily to acquire the land;
(3) what meeting he has had, with whom, and what progress has been made to preserve the wildlife habitat at Banks Marshes.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe Nature Conservancy Council has kept me fully informed of the progress it is making aimed at preserving the wildlife habitats at Banks Marshes in the Ribble Estuary. The possibility of acquiring the site is under negotiation. In the event of any compulsory purchase order being made, the NCC would be guided by the district valuer.
I have not found it necessary to call a meeting to discuss the issues as we are all agreed upon the importance of this matter and upon objectives.
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§ Mr. Hastingsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in the light of the fact that the Ramsar Convention places an obligation on the Government to implement their planning so as to promote the conservation of wetlands included in their list and as far as possible the wise use of wetlands in their territory and that the Ribble estuary is classified as the second most important estuarine wetland for birds in the United Kingdom, what steps the Government is taking to promote the wise use of this internationally-important site.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe Nature Conservancy Council, the Government adviser on nature conservation matters, aware of the obligations placed upon the Government by the Ramsar Convention, is in negotiation with the new owner of this internationally-important site, with the aim of ensuring that its ornithological and wildlife value is retained.