§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many sites of special scientific interest have been destroyed in each of the last 20 years; and how many sites are currently designated. [40359]
§ Mr. Clappison[holding answer 14 October 1996]: 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. As at 31 March 1996, 6,185 sites had been designated.