§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what criteria are taken into consideration and what procedures are followed in the designation of new sites of special scientific interest;
(2) what criteria are taken into consideration and what procedures are followed in determining whether designated sites of special scientific interest remain sites of special scientific interest; and how often the special scientific interest of a designated site is re-assessed.
§ Mr. TrippierThe procedures for designating sites of special scientific interest are set out in section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended by the Wildlife and Countryside (Amendment) Act 1985.
The Nature Conservancy Council's "Guidelines for Selection of Biological SSSIs" together with the first volume of guidelines in respect of geological and physiographical SSSIs, give details of the scientific criteria for selection. Copies of these documents have been placed in the Library of the House.
The successor bodies to the Nature Conservancy Council will develop a programme for the regular monitoring of SSSIs. The reassessment of the special scientific interest of will reflect the results of this programme.