§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend to revise Department of the Environment Circular 108/77 Nature Conservation 105WA and Planning in view of the recent enactment of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and whether they will ensure that all internal drainage boards receive copies of the circular.
The Earl of Avon: The need to review existing departmental circulars will be considered when the Wildlife and Countryside Act has been fully implemented. In the meantime, we shall consider more specifically whether there is a need to issue Department of the Environment Circular 108/77 Nature Conservation and Planning to internal drainage boards as part of the guidance on the new duties of water authorities and internal drainage boards under the Act. The guidance is currently being prepared by officials of my department and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in consultation with interested parties.