HC Deb 04 March 1991 vol 187 cc57-8W
Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will consult the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and other voluntary organisations concerning the drafting of amendments to the general authorisation issued under section 152 of the Water Act 1989 concerning the disposal of land in a national park, the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, an area of outstanding natural beauty or a site of special scientific interest.

Mr. Baldry

Consultation is taking place with the Countryside Commission and the Nature Conservancy Council and they in turn will take full account of the views expressed to them by voluntary conservation bodies about the operation of the existing general authorisation.

Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will state the conservation, access and recreation criteria which are applied when entering into a covenant with a company holding an appointment under chapter 1 part II of the Water Act 1989 for the purposes set out in section 152(7) of that Act or directing the disposal to a specified person under section 152(5)(a) of that Act where the land has not been acquired compulsorily.

Mr. Baldry

In exercising his powers under section 152 the Secretary of State must fulfil the duties in relation to the environment and recreation placed on him by section 8 of the Act.

Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what minor transactions he intends to exclude from the conditions applied in the general authorisation issued under section 152 of the Water Act 1989 concerning the disposal of land, or interests or rights in or over that land, which is situated in a national park, the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, an area of outstanding natural beauty or a site of special scientific interest.

Mr. Baldry

The review of the general authorisation is still in progress, and conclusions have not yet been reached.

Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to seek Parliament's approval for the text of any revision or alteration to the general authorisation issued under section 152 of the Water Act 1989 concerning the disposal of land in a national park, the Norfolk and Suffolk broads, an area of outstanding natural beauty or a site of special scientific interest.

Mr. Baldry

No. The Act does not require that.

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