§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received concerning the system of notification of sites of special scientific interest; what discussions he has had with the Nature Conservancy Council on the subject; and whether he will institute a review of current practice.
§ Mr. Rifkind[holding answer 11 February 1988]: In addition to the hon. Member's letter to me dated 11 November 1987, I have received representations from four persons within the past 12 months including the hon. Member for Inverness, Nairn and Lochaber (Sir R. 238W Johnston) about the current system. Two of these suggested that there should be a right of appeal against notification and two expressed concern about the size of individual areas that may be notified. Discussions on various aspects of SSSI notification arrangements have been held from time to time mainly at official level between the relevant Government Departments and the Nature Conservancy Council. With regard to current practice I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, East (Mr. Moynihan) to my hon. Friend the Member for Harborough (Sir J. Farr) Official Report, 20 January 1988, at column 747 concerning consultation arrangements.