§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what provisions he is making to privatise Castle Eden Dene, Hawthorn Dene and other nature reserves in the county of Durham; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoynihanMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has asked the Nature Conservancy Council to consider whether there is scope for national nature reserves to be held in private ownership under appropriate conservation safeguards. The council's advice is expected later this year.
Hawthorn Dene site of special scientific interest is already in private ownership. I understand that part of the site is managed by a local conservation trust, but it is not designated as a national nature reserve.