§ Mr. Alan CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to carry out a review of the work of English Nature. [29409]
§ Angela EagleThe work of English Nature is under regular scrutiny. The annual Corporate Planning round provides an opportunity to assess performance, identify priorities and assist the allocation of resources.
English Nature was brought into existence in 1991 as a result of the re-organisation of the former Nature Conservancy Council. Its work was reviewed in 1994 when a study was carried out into the possibility of merging English Nature with the Countryside Commission. The Joint Nature Conservation Committee, through which English Nature in conjunction with Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales, carries out some of its functions assigned to it by the Environmental Protection Act 1990, has also recently undergone a strategic review. In common with Government Departments and the other Countryside Agencies, the role of English Nature is being examined as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.
An important aspect of English Nature's work is the notification and management of the network of Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The Department is preparing a consultation paper seeking views on how these sites can be better managed. We expected to be able to issue the paper to the public in the late Spring.