§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all the red data book birds in the United Kingdom, with details of their current populations.
§ Mr. BaldryI will write to the hon. Member.
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§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to preserve, protect and provide habitat for, British red data book birds; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BaldryUnder the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 some 8 per cent. of Britain's wildlife habitat is protected as sites of special scientific interest—some 5,600 sites. Many of these are important nesting, roosting and feeding sites for species listed in the red data books. The Countryside Commission's countryside stewardship initiative and the programme of environmentally sensitive areas implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, also encourage the conservation of features of our countryside that are important to wildlife, including these birds. I have asked for further advice specific to the needs of these species. I will write to the hon. Member when this is available.