HC Deb 31 January 1996 vol 270 cc783-5W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many licences have been applied for in respect of the great crested newt since 1981; how many of these have been approved; how many of these have been refused; what conditions have been attached to them; and what monitoring has been undertaken to assess their level of success or failure. [11866]

Mr. Clappison

English Nature is the licensing authority for a wide range of activities relating to great crested newts and my Department is the appropriate authority for safe licensing of this species.

The information to answer the question is not readily available. However, in addition to licences issued for other purposes, a recent review of the five-year period 1990–1995 has shown that 141 licences were issued to permit the translocation of great crested newts. Subsequent monitoring of projects has shown that in 92 per cent. of cases adults were found in subsequent years and in 61 per cent. of cases breeding was confirmed.

Mr. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria will be used to judge whether the receptor sites, within the Orton brick pits site of special scientific interest, are mature enough to support translocated newts; and if he will ensure that newts will not be translocated to the receptor sites before these criteria are fulfilled. [11865]

Mr. Clappison

A view of the suitability of the habitat for receiving translocated newts will be made by appropriate specialists. English Nature will not grant licences to translocate great crested newts until they are satisfied that the receptor sites appear suitable to receive the likely number of animals that will be captured during the translocation from any area of the Orton brick pit site.

Mr. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultation procedures will take place before a licence is issued for the translocation of great crested newts from any part of the Orton brick pits site of special scientific interest. [11863]

Mr. Clappison

The normal procedure for evaluating licence applications is that they are considered by English Nature, and a decision is made following consultation with their specialist and local team staff. This procedure will be followed before licences are issued for the translocation of great crested newts from any part of the Orton brick pits area.

To allow open discussion of methods, English Nature has convened a liaison group with non-governmental organisations. That group will meet for the first time on 16 February.

Mr. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what conditions are attached to any applications for a licence to translocate great crested newts from any part of the Orton brick pits site of special scientific interest. [11864]

Mr. Clappison

The conditions that would apply to any applications for a licence to translocate newts from any part of this site are as follows: that the existing site must have been given planning consent and the notification of the site as an SSSI was taken into account; that the receptor site is suitable for the number of animals that is intended to move; that the translocation is of conservation benefit to the animals concerned; and that anyone carrying out the translocation is sufficiently qualified and able to do the work. Subsequent to any translocation of animals, the receptor site must be monitored to determine the level of occupation of the newts at the site.

Mr. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what applications for licences English Nature has received, and what licences they have issued for the translocation of great crested newts from any part of the Orton brick pits site of special scientific interest, Peterborough, since the statement of intent was signed between English Nature and Peterborough Southern Township Ltd. [11862]

Mr. Clappison

The Government's statutory scientific advisers, English Nature, advise that no applications have been received and no licences issued since the statement of intent was signed on 15 July 1995.