HC Deb 07 November 1995 vol 265 cc738-9W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many times each of the privatised water companies have been(a) prosecuted and (b) convicted for water pollution offences in (i) the current year and (ii) each of the last five years; and if he will list the dates. [41164]

Mr. Clappison

The information requested is set out in the tables, except for the dates of prosecutions on which I shall write to the hon. Gentleman shortly. The figures attributed to 1995 are for the period since April.

Mr. Clappison

The United Kingdom's "Biodiversity: The UK Action Plan" contains some 59 broad targets, including a commitment to develop specific costed targets for key species and habitats for the years 2000 and 2010.

Notification as a SSSI identifies land of scientific interest. It ensures that in the determination of development proposals, the land use planning system takes careful account of nature conservation interests. Where conflict is unavoidable, appropriate mitigation measures are taken to minimise adverse effects. The continuing decline in SSSI loss and damage demonstrates the effectiveness of the system.

Mr. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those sites of special scientific interest in English Nature's report on hydrological threats to sites of special scientific interest as being liable to be adversely affected by water abstraction. [41305]

Mr. Clappison

English Nature undertook an internal survey in 1991. This preliminary study identified SSSIs which may be affected. However, these need to be further investigated before a list is published.

Mr. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those sites of special scientific interest identified by recent research carried out by English Nature and the university of Liverpool that could be adversely affected by eutrophication. [41306]

Mr. Clappison

English Nature will shortly publish a report containing this information. A copy will be placed in the Library.

Mr. Colvin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will(a) list and (b) make a statement on the sites of special scientific interest (i) along the western side of Southampton Water and the Solent and (ii) in the New Forest. [41456]

Mr. Clappison

The information requested is as follows:

  • Southampton Water—Eling and Bury marshes; Hythe to Calshot marshes;
  • Solent—North Solent; Hurst castle and Lymington river estuary; Thorness bay; Newtown harbour; Bouldnor and Hamstead cliffs; Yar estuary;
  • New Forest—the New Forest.

These sites have been notified for their biological and geological importance.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many incidents involving damage to sites of special scientific interest in 1994 have resulted in prosecution. [41972]

Mr. Clappison

None. Prosecution is sought only when circumstances warrant such action. Where a site has been damaged, the first approach is to seek the co-operation of the landlowner in restoring it and avoiding any further damage.