§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider amending the powers of the Nature Conservancy Council to provide a right of independent appeal against a proposed designation of a site of special scientific interest to the proprietor or other affected persons; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyNo. The question of a right of appeal was considered and rejected during the passage of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and subsequently by the Environment Committee of this House (first report Session 1984–85). We are satisfied that the existing procedures are appropriate.
§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider amending the powers of the Nature Conservancy Council to require it to publish the scientific criteria which it applies in designating a site of special scientific interest; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe Nature Conservancy Council's explanatory pamphlet, "The Selection of Sites of Special Scientific Interest," gives details of the selection guidelines currently in use. It is available to the public and a copy is held in the Library of the House. I am advised that the Nature Conservancy Council intends to publish a more detailed exposition early in 1989.