HC Deb 13 January 1988 vol 125 cc281-2W
Dr. Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his statutory duties with respect to England's national nature reserves.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for the privatisation of nature reserves.

Mr. Hardy

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the preparation for sale of national nature reserves.

Mr. Ridley

I am responsible (with the approval of the Treasury) for determining the public funds made available to the Nature Conservancy Council via an annual grant-in-aid for the performance of its functions, including the establishment, maintenance and management of national nature reserves. Several of the conditions of the grant-in-aid affect NNRs, particularly those which reserve the right to myself to decide in certain circumstances whether the NCC should incur expenditure on the acquisition of land, or on payments under management agreements, needed to establish specific Reserves.

I am also responsible for authorising any proposal by the NCC under its powers to acquire land compulsorily to establish a reserve, although these powers have only been exercised very rarely; my authority is also required to confirm byelaws for the protection of reserves.

In addition, I also have discretionary powers to give the NCC directions concerning the discharge of any of its functions.

Dr. Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will make a statement on his policy on the future ownership, control and management of Britain's national nature reserves;

(2) if he has asked the Nature Conservancy Council to examine ways of selling the national nature reserves in their ownerships and control.

Mr. Ridley

The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 provided the framework almost 40 years ago for a policy under which nature reserves are normally established and protected by agreement between private landowners and the Nature Conservancy Council, without the need for public ownership. Successive Governments have operated that policy. Of the 160,000 ha of reserves declared by 31 March 1987, only 43,000 ha (27 per cent.) are publicly owned by the NCC. Many of the most outstanding reserves — including several in the Norfolk Broads, upper Teesdale, Avon gorge, the Gower peninsula and the Scottish highlands — have been successfully protected for many years in private ownership.

In line with my general policy that all non-departmental public bodies should be asked to keep their land holdings to the minimum necessary for their functions, I have asked them, including the NCC, to examine their portfolio and consider whether there is greater scope for both existing and future reserves to be kept in private ownership with appropriate conservation safeguards. The review will consider also the size of the NNR network, methods of further improving reserve management and the possibility of generating more income (for example from visitors) that could be ploughed back into conservation. I expect to receive a report on these matters from the NCC later this year when they have fully considered the position.