§ Sir Johnn Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the operation of the powers bestowed on the Nature Conservancy Council in relation to the establishment of sites of special scientific interest.
§ Mr. WaldegraveYes.
§ Sir John Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to provide for appeal machinery following designations of sites of special scientific interest under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThis proposal was considered and rejected during the passage of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 and subsequently by the Environment Committee of this House (first report, Session 1984–85). I am satisfied that existing procedures are adequate.
§ Sir John Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if, in view of the recent establishment by the Nature Conservancy Council of sites of special scientific interest on reservoirs in the east Midlands such as Pitsford and Rutland water, restricting or curtailing access by anglers, he will seek an assurance from the Nature Conservancy Council that no further sites of special scientific interest will be created in the area;
(2) before establishing new sites of special scientific interest on reservoirs and other water areas where fishing is enjoyed, what consideration the Nature Conservancy Council gives to the general availability of such fishing in the area.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe Nature Conservancy Council has a statutory duty to notify areas which, in its opinion, are of special interest by reason of any of their flora, fauna, or geological or physiographical features. Although angling may be specified as a potentially damaging activity in such areas, the Nature Conservancy Council endeavours to reach agreements which reconcile fishing and conservation interests. I understand that the agreement with Anglian water authority, in the case of Rutland water and Pitsford in fact permits an overall increase in fishing activity, and that two reservoirs in the area, Stamford and Hollowell, have recently been de-notified as sites of special scientific interest.
§ Sir John Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment why the Nature Conservancy Council has established a site of special scientific interest at Pitsford reservoir, Northants, without prior consultation with anglers and the Federation of Midland Flyfishers.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe Nature Conservancy Council is required to notify all owners and occupiers of land in a site which in its opinion, is of special interest. It is impractical to notify, and the Nature Conservancy Council would not necessarily be aware of, others who might be concerned.