Sites of Special Scientific Interest

HC Deb 25 April 1996 vol 276 cc267-8W

Mr. Illsley

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many sites of special scientific interest there are in Northern Ireland. [26195]

Mr. Moss

[holding answer 22 April 1996]: Responsibility or this matter has been delegated to the Environment and Heritage Service under the chief executive, Robert C. Martin. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Robert C. Martin to Mr. Eric Illsley, dated 24 April 1996: Mr. Moss has asked me to reply to your parliamentary question about the number of areas of special scientific interest (ASSI) in Northern Ireland. There are now 92 such areas covering approximately 75,800 hectares involving 2,787 landowners/occupiers.