HC Deb 23 May 1990 vol 173 c256W
107. Mrs. Ray Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plan he has to improve further the protection of endangered species.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 introduced for the first time in Great Britain comprehensive statutory protection for endangered wild species and their habitats. The 1981 Act also provides that the Nature Conservancy Council is required to submit proposals on schedule 5 (animals) and schedule 8 (plants) every five years (quinquennial review). As a result of the first such review in 1986 the numbers of species receiving protection was increased to 113 species of wild animals and 91 species of wild plants. The next quinquennial review is due to be submitted in 1991.