60. Mr. Mark Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many sites of special scientific interest are now in existence; how many there were in 1982; and if he will increase their protection.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThere are currently 4,150 sites of scientific interest in England, Scotland and Wales; in March 1982 the total was 4,026. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 includes adequate measures for the protection of SSSIs.