HC Deb 14 July 1998 vol 316 c121W
Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the mechanisms currently used to prevent activities that damage sites of special scientific interest; what duties are placed on public bodies to protect sites of special scientific interest; and what powers agencies have to monitor sites of special scientific interest. [50124]

Angela Eagle

There are a variety of consultation mechanisms, both between the conservation agency and landowners and between the agencies and other bodies, which serve to highlight potential problems and enable the conservation agencies to take action to remedy them, and prevent damage.

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many sites of special scientific interest are located in industrial or urban areas of(a) England and (b) the United Kingdom. [50119]

Angela Eagle

This information is not readily available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures the Government are taking to restore sites of special scientific interest that have been damaged by long-term pollution. [50121]

Angela Eagle

It is not the Government's responsibility to restore sites damaged by long-term pollution. In most cases, the owner is expected to take responsibility for the restoration of a site. However, several statutory regimes exist providing measures for the remediation of damage caused by long-term pollution, including damage in SSSIs. Section 161 of the Water Resources Act 1991, and section 161A when implemented, give considerable powers to the Environment Agency to deal with pollution of controlled waters. Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, when implemented, will give enforcing authorities new powers to secure remediation of contaminated land, as defined. SSSIs are proposed to be specifically included amongst the receptors to be considered when determining whether land meets the definition.