Countryside Act 1968

HC Deb 23 June 1981 vol 7 cc81-2W

Mr. Marks

asked the Secretary of State for Defence in what ways his Department carries out the provisions of section 11 of the Countryside Act 1968.

Mr. Goodhart

The Ministry of Defence conservation officer is responsible for the co-ordination of all conservation activities on the defence estate involving wildlife, habitats, and sites of historical, archaeological and scientific interest. There are active conservation groups at 135 Ministry of Defence sites involving nearly 4,000 volunteers. These groups work with the Service authorities and the Property Services Agency to preserve the habitat and species and improve the appearance of the defence estate; they have achieved some remarkable results. The Ministry of Defence maintains close liaison with the national parks authorities, the Countryside Commission, the Nature Conservancy and the local authorities concerned.