HC Deb 13 December 1989 vol 163 cc672-3W
Mrs. Ann Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many permanent staff are likely to be employed by the proposed Natural Heritage Agency.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

The proposed agency will be adequately staffed to carry out its important responsibilities but it is too soon to estimate the number of permanent posts.

Mrs. Ann Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what additional funding will be required for the purposes of merging the Nature Conservancy Council and Countryside Commission for Scotland into a new agency.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

The proposed agency will have adequate resources to carry out its important responsibilities, but it is too soon to decide the precise level of funding which will be required.