HC Deb 14 June 1994 vol 244 cc338-9W
Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list the number of staff. employed in the management of the Somerset levels and moors national nature reserve for each year from 1987 to the present;

(2) if he will list the area covered by management agreements in the Somerset levels and moors for each year since 1987 for agreements between the Nature Conservancy Council/English Nature and owners or occupiers of sites of special scientific interest;

(3) what has been the total sum of money paid out and the average payment per hectare on management agreements in the Somerset levels and moors for each year since 1987 for agreements between the Nature Conservancy Council/English Nature and owners or occupiers of sites of special scientific interest;

(4) what was the area in each moor, in the Somerset levels and moors national nature reserve in high water level management consistent with maintaining and enhancing its wetland nature for each year since 1987;

(5) how many management agreement exist in regard to the Somerset levels and moors between English Nature and owners or occupiers of sites of special scientific interest and the number which are due to be reviewed in 1994–95;

(6) how many staff have been employed in the negotiation and administration of management agreements on sites of special scientific interest in the Somerset levels and moors for each year since 1987 by the Nature Conservancy Council/English Nature;

(7) what is the expenditure proposed by English Nature on the management of (a) the Somerset levels and moors candidate special protection area and (b) the Somerset levels and moors national nature reserve for the years (i) 1994–95, (ii) 1995–96 and (iii) 1996–97.

Mr. Atkins

From 1987–1990, one, and from 1990 to date, two staff have been employed in the management of the Somerset levels and moors national nature reserve. From 1987 to 1993, four permanent staff, and from 1993 to the present, three permanent staff, were involved in the negotiation and administration of management agreements in the Somerset levels and moors.

There are 191 management agreements relating to the Somerset levels and moors, of which 12 are due for review in 1994–95. Information about payments under these agreements and the area covered is not available in the form requested. In 1993–94 the total sum paid out in annual payments under management agreements in the Somerset levels and moors was £335,681, and the average payment was £151 per hectare per annum. As at 31 March 1994, 2,218.52 hectares were covered by management agreements.

Estimated expenditure within the Somerset levels potential special protection area is expected to be at a similar level for 1994–95 and subsequent years. Net expenditure on the national nature reserve is negligible as the land is owned by English Nature and attracts receipts in excess of £15,000 per annum.

Since 1987, the only area within the Somerset levels included in the experimental high water level area is Southlake, which covers some 130 hectares.