HC Deb 03 May 1990 vol 171 c615W
Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what number of staff he expects will be employed by the proposed joint committee for the Nature Conservancy Council for the purposes of carrying out the quinquennial review of protected animals and plants under section 24 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Mr. Trippier

My Department is currently discussing the staffing requirements of the proposed three new country councils—including those of their joint committee—with the chairmen-designate, the NCC and the Countryside Commission. Figures for the number of staff to be allocated to specific functions will not be available until these discussions are complete.

Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends the proposed joint committee for the Nature Conservancy Council to make a report under paragraph 17 of schedule 3 to the Nature Conservancy Council Act 1973 in respect of its functions under section 24 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Mr. Trippier

Provision for the Secretary of State to publish the advice he receives on the quinquennial review is already proposed in paragraph 14(5)(c) of schedule 7 to the Environmental Protection Bill. Recommendation 4.19 of the second report of the Select Committee on Science and Technology of another place (HL Paper 33—I) is also germane to this point. The Government are currently considering that report, and will announce their response shortly.

Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the two assessors appointed to the Nature Conservancy Council's joint committee to represent Northern Ireland's interests will have voting powers in relation to matters of United Kingdom or international importance.

Mr. Trippier

We have always made clear the intention that the interests of nature conservation in Northern Ireland should be represented on the joint committee. There are legal and constitutional considerations which may make it appropriate for the Northern Ireland representatives to be non-voting.