§ Lord Bleaseasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the staff complement available to the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment to undertake conservation, wildlife and countryside work is at the level recommended by Dr. Jean Balfour in her report A New Look at the Northern Ireland Countryside.
§ Lord LyellFollowing receipt of Dr. Balfour's report, the department reviewed the position and concluded that a substantial increase in posts at a senior level was justified, albeit not to the level recommended by Dr. Balfour. The additional senior posts provided have now been filled and the position will be subject to review when the new structure has settled down.
Dr. Balfour did not address staffing needs at junior levels, but there has also be a substantial increase here. Half of the additional posts have already been filled and recruitment for the others is proceeding.