§ Mr. PriorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the protection of(a) sites and (b) areas of special scientific interest. [64300]
§ Mr. MeacherWe have issued a consultation paper in England and Wales called "SSSIs—Better Protection and Management". The consultation ends on 21 December. 637W Colleagues in Northern Ireland are preparing a consultation paper on Areas of Special Scientific Interest which will be issued in 1999.