Sites of Special Scientific Interest

HC Deb 23 July 1996 vol 282 c306W

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many sites of special scientific interest have been lost or damaged since 1981. [38316]

Mr. Clappison

Statistical information on damage to SSSIs in Great Britain is set out in the annual reports of the former Nature Conservancy Council. Since 1 April 1991 similar details for England, Scotland and Wales are contained in the annual reports of the country agencies and, for Great Britain, in that of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Copies of annual reports are in the Library.

Mr. Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many sites of special scientific interest have been compulsory purchased using a nature conservation order since 1981. [38317]

Mr. Clappison

None. The Secretary of State confirmed one such compulsory purchase order over land within Somerset, but following further discussions with the landowner the compulsory purchase order was not implemented.