HC Deb 11 January 2000 vol 342 c111W
16. Helen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps his Department is taking to afford greater protection to sites of importance for nature conservation; and if he will make a statement. [103267]

Mr. Meacher

In line with proposals in the Government's Framework for Action on Sites of Special Scientific Interest, officials have set up a Local Sites Review Group, comprising a wide range of interested bodies. This will consider the issues associated with the identification, protection and management of local sites and report its conclusions early this year.