§ Caroline FlintTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the Moors Management Agreement initiated by English Nature, relating to Thorne and Hatfield Moors, and make it available in the Library. [143133]
§ Mr. MullinDiscussions are currently taking place with the operator of the permission with regards to the release of the Agreement. It is hoped that this issue will be resolved soon.
I will ask English Nature to write to my hon. Friend in due course.
§ Caroline FlintTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of English Nature's progress in producing conservation objectives for important United Kingdom conservation sites; and if he will make a statement. [143134]
§ Mr. MullinIn England there are 788 sites of special scientific interest (SSSI) which host features of European or international importance. Of these sites first drafts of conservation objectives for features of interest have been prepared for 557 SSSIs and a further 59 drafts will be prepared by 20 December. These draft conservation objectives are currently subject to internal discussion and review, and will be re-assessed in the light of agreed guidance from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, which is expected early next year. English Nature aim to produce conservation objectives for the remaining 327 SSSIs by April 2003.
§ Caroline FlintTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the timetable is for English Nature producing conservation objectives for Thorne and Hatfield Moors and surrounding sites of special scientific interest; and if he will make a statement. [143132]
§ Mr. MullinEnglish Nature aim to produce conservation objectives for all internationally designated sites by March 2001, at which stage copies of each will be placed in the Library.