§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his proposals for the protection of sites of special scientific interest. [78702]
§ Mr. MealeI refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 15 March 1999,Official Report, column 465. Once we have given full consideration to the ideas put forward in responses to the proposals, and completed discussions on some of the more difficult issues, we will announce how we intend to proceed.