§ Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied that the current length of time involved in issuing stop orders under section 29 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is sufficiently short to be effective; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI am generally satisfied with the effectiveness of the current procedures for making nature conservation orders under section 29 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, which temporarily prohibit certain damaging activities on particular sites and provide extra time for the owner or occupier and the Nature Conservancy Council to negotiate mutally acceptable arrangements for the management of the land. I appreciate the need for speed in such cases, and am keeping the matter under review.