§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he plans to designate further sites to protect birds under the special protection areas scheme or the Ramsar convention; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierThe Government's aim is to designate those sites which are necessary to meet the conservation objectives of the convention and the directive.
My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, with whom rests responsibility for the designation of sites in Scotland, recently announced the designation of four special protection areas, one Ramsar site and three sites with dual designation, bringing the Great Britain totals to 40 special protection areas and 43 Ramsar sites.
A number of proposals are currently being considered and the next designation will take place as soon as the necessary consultations have been satisfactorily completed.