§ LORD BEAUMONT OF WHITLEYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they plan to give to the international effort to combat the erosion of coral in the South Pacific.]
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, the only official report of fairly widespread damage in British territories in the South Pacific is from Fiji, where the Governor tells us that the extent of infestation by what is called the "Crown of Thorns" starfish is being studied. We are seeking information about the investigations at present being undertaken in the Pacific, and as soon as we know the extent of the problem we will consider what assistance might be given.
§ LORD BEAUMONT OF WHITLEYMy Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord for that Answer, which is moderately satisfactory. But would he not agree that on the basis of what we know already about this plague there is little time, and that urgency is very important?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, so far as the British territories are concerned, at present it is only Fiji that has expressed concern. However, we are in contact with the other territories, and they are carrying out their own investigations.