§ 21. Mr. PaiceTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the Government's objectives for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Mark Lennox-Boyd)The Government's objectives for UNCED are the signature of global conventions on climate change and biodiversity; a statement of principles on forests; a comprehensive plan 286 for the 21st century; a short earth charter of environmental principles; and reinforcement of existing international environmental institutions.
§ Mr. PaiceI am sure that the House very much hopes that the Government's objectives are achieved because they will be a major step towards solving the issues of the international environment. Does my hon. Friend agree that that approach contrasts greatly with the latest approach from Brussels, which is that international bodies should be involved in deciding even where we erect a front porch?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIt is clear that progress at UNCED will be made by all the participants that attend. It will be a matter for each national Government to play their part in trying to bring about those objectives.