HC Deb 01 June 1998 vol 313 cc2-3W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the consultation papers published since 1 May 1997 giving the date of publication, closing date for submissions and the number of respondents. [42247]

Mr. Kilfoyle

The table gives the details for all consultation papers published to the private sector or members of the public since 1 May 1997 by the Office of Public Service and its agencies, and the Central Office for Information.

is essential that owners and occupiers, rightholders, local interests, user groups and conservation groups, in the form of an advisory group, should all be encouraged to participate in the process of implementing the objectives and developing the scheme at the earliest opportunity. Relevant authorities should consult widely and regular cycles of meetings should be established, the frequency of which would be dependent on the particular needs of each site. This advice will be contained in a guidance document to be published very shortly. The formation of advisory groups is at various stages among the marine sites.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many and which of the United Kingdom's candidate marine special areas of conservation have begun to draft (i) conservation objectives and (ii) management schemes. [42618]

Angela Eagle

The Government's nature conservation bodies, whose duty is to advise relevant authorities of an SAC's nature conservation objectives, have undertaken a considerable amount of work in preparing the way for drafting objectives, and some sites have a draft in preparation. The statutory requirement for a management scheme does not arise until sites are agreed as Sites of Community Interest. However, we are encouraging relevant authorities to establish shadow schemes in anticipation of the formal requirement. I will write to my hon. Friend shortly explaining more fully the position on each of the sites in the UK.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many and which of the United Kingdom's candidate marine special areas of conservation have established management and advisory groups. [42622]

Angela Eagle

Establishing advisory groups is dependent on having a management group in place so, while many of the sites now have a management group established, the advisory groups are at different stages of formation. I will write to my hon. Friend shortly, setting out the position on each of the marine sites.