HC Deb 03 February 1997 vol 289 cc501-2W
Mr. Dowd

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what plans he has to privatise national nature reserves in Northern Ireland; [14014]

(2) what role non-governmental organisations will have in the process of privatising national nature reserves in Northern Ireland. [14015]

Mr. Moss

I have no plans to privatise national nature reserves in Northern Ireland. The environment and heritage service of the Department of the Environment is exploring ways of increasing the involvement of district councils, voluntary organisations and the private sector in the management and maintenance of the service's 250 properties.