§ 5. Mr. Norman Baker (Lewes)What recent assessment he has made of the cetacean population in Cardigan bay. [38003]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Win Griffiths)Recent studies indicate that the most common cetacean species in Cardigan bay are the harbour porpoise and bottlenose dolphin. Other species recorded are the common dolphin, Risso's dolphin, the white-sided dolphin and the killer pilot and minke whales.
§ Mr. BakerGiven the importance of the area to those various species, does the Minister agree that, given the June deadline, it is crucial that the Government make it a special area of conservation under the EU habitats directive?
§ Mr. GriffithsI can give the hon. Gentleman the good news. We have already put forward a proposal for Cardigan bay to be a special area of conservation.
§ Mr. Gareth Thomas (Clwyd, West)Is the Minister aware of any reported sightings of that other endangered species, namely, elected Tory Members of Parliament for Wales? Is he aware that there is a danger of that species being reintroduced to the native Welsh habitat following the elections in May to the National Assembly for Wales?
§ Mr. GriffithsAlthough it is likely that in Wales they may become a land creature again, there is no possibility that they will end up in Cardigan bay. [Interruption.]
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. A telephone is ringing.