§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Western Isles,Official Report, 1 March, column 292,
648Wwhether he will indicate the criteria adopted for the purposes of determining whether land which is subject to, or being considered for, a nature conservation order under section 29 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is of national importance.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 12 March 1990]: A nature conservation order is made on the recommendation of the Nature Conservancy Council only where it is satisfied that there is a serious threat to an SSSI. The Nature Conservancy Council would advise on the scientific interest and the importance of the specific area in a national and international context. Each case is then considered by my right hon. and learned Friend on its merits.