§ 38. Sir David Rentonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware that although the Nature Conservancy Council has listed over 30 heathland sites as being of major con servation importance, less than 10 of them are nature reserves; and if he will take steps to conserve the remaining sites.
§ Mr. Denis HowellI do not know the source of the hon. Member's figures. The Nature Conservancy Council has identified nearly 400 sites of major conservation importance. Seventy-six of these include heathland, of which 23 are already national nature reserves or are safeguarded by agreements with the owners. Another 15 are reserves established by voluntary bodies. The council is establishing new nature reserves as quickly as circumstances permit.