§ Miss Emma NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of the land area of England is now covered by national parks, areas of
1980 1991 Area (ha2) Percentage area of England Area (ha2) Percentage area of England National parks 942,900 7.20 942,900 7.20 The Broads 0 0.00 28,800 0.20 Areas of outstanding natural beauty 1,430,700 11.00 1,898,200 14.50 Sites of special scientific interest 648,198 5.00 760,210 6.00 Green belt 1720,000 5.50 1,520,000 12.00 National nature reserves 28,674 0.20 41,312 0.30 Special protection areas 0 0.00 109,194 0.80 Ramsar sites 18,803 0.15 115,463 0.90 1 Figures for 1979.
§ Miss Emma NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many designated sites of special scientific interest are in existence currently; and how many there were in 1980.
§ Mr. BaldryOn 28 February 1991, there were 5,649 sites of special scientific interest. On 28 March 1980, there were 3,826 notified under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. These sites have, for the most part, been re-notified under the terms of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.