§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what information he has as to the degree of consultation with the local harbour board undertaken by the Nature Conservancy Council prior to the designation of the entire Salcombe estuary as a site of special scientific interest;
(2) what representations he has received on the designation of the entire Salcombe estuary as a site of special scientific interest in the light of the proposed dredging of the low water and other channels for fishing vessels.
§ Mr. Waldegrave[pursuant to his reply, Monday 23 March 1987]: I am advised by the Nature Conservancy Council that the harbour authorities were consulted before the Salcombe estuary was notified as a site of special scientific interest in February 1987. Owners and occupiers of land who have been notified may make representations or objections to the Nature Conservancy Council within four months of the date of notification. The Nature Conservancy Council has not to date received any representations relating to the proposed dredging operations.