§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the total number of sites of special scientific interest in England and the number of these that have been(a) partially or (b) wholly damaged.
§ Mr. Maclean[holding answer 20 October 1992]: At 31 March 1992, a total of 3,621 SSSIs had been notified in England under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The latest available information on damage to SSSIs is contained in the 17th and final report of the former Nature Conservancy Council, a copy of which is in the Library. Information in respect of the year ending 31 March 1992 is currently being gathered by English Nature and will be published in its first anniversary report to be presented to Parliament later in the year.