§ Mr. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of appeals under paragraph 4 of schedule 14 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 determined in 1992 and 1993 for which the time taken from receipt of appeal by his Department to its determination was(a) not more than six months, (b) more than six months but not more than 12 months, (c) more than 12 months but not more than 18 months, (d) more than 18 months but not more than 24 months or (e) more than 24 months.
§ Mr. AtkinsStatistics on appeals under paragraph 4 of schedule 14 are not collected in the form requested. However, the table shows on a regional basis the average time taken for the cases determined in each year.
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Appeals under paragraph 4, schedule 14 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 1992 1993 Regional offices Number of cases Average time (months) Number of cases Average time (months) Northern — — — — North Western 3 16 11 20 Yorkshire and Humberside — — 5 13 West Midlands — — — — East Midlands 6 8 1 9 Eastern 11 12 9 6 South Eastern 14 26 19 11 South Western 7 21 24 15 London 1 13 1 22
§ Mr. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how long he allows surveying authorities to comment on appeals under paragraph 4 of schedule 14 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
§ Mr. AtkinsSurveying authorities are given eight weeks to comment on the appellant's grounds of appeal and to submit a statement of case. If no response is received, a reminder is sent and a further two weeks allowed before the appeal can proceed: extensions of time are granted where appropriate. The authority is then given three weeks to comment on each occasion the appellant or third party makes further representations.