§ Mr. Morganasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps, including legislation if necessary, whereby the permission of, or at least reasonable notice to, private landowners would be obligatory before entry on to privately owned land by officials of the Nature Conservancy Council could be legally effected.
§ Mr. Macfarlane:I have been asked to reply.
Council officers cannot at present demand entry on to occupied land in the exercise of their powers unless 14 days' notice has been given to the occupier. Further powers of entry are included in the Wildlife and Countryside Bill; these will not be exercisable on occupied land unless 24 hours' notice has been given to the occupier, except where an offence is suspected or has been committed. I do not consider that further restrictions on the council's powers would be justified.