asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has made available to local planning authorities in regard to their responsibilities towards sites of special scientific interest; and whether such advice provides details of directive 79/409 on the conservation of wild birds and the Berne convention.

DOE circulars 108/77 and 32/81 contain advice to local planning authorities in regard to their responsibilities towards sites of special scientific interest. They do not contain details of Directive 79/409 on the conservation of wild birds or the Berne convention. We are currently reviewing the contents of these circulars.