To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress is being made in the discussions on the outcome of the 1985 study of hours worked by Nature Conservancy Council wardens; and whether it is intended that those will be resolved before re-organisation.

Conditions of employment for the Nature Conservancy Council's wardens are a staff management issue for the council to consider in the first instance. Any major and long-term changes will need the agreement of the council's successor bodies, which are already in existence.