§ 3.15 p.m.
§ Lord KENNETMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
The Question was as follows:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any British local authorities are taking up the proposal of the chief Burgomaster of Hamburg for a conference of cities having access to the North Sea.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, DEPARTMENT of the ENVIRONMENT (Baroness Birk)My Lords, there has not yet been a firm proposal from the Burgomaster. If a conference were convened it would be up to local authorities to decide whether to accept any invitiation they receive.
§ Lord KENNETMy Lords, do the Government agree that, subject to obvious limitations of expenditure, this would be a useful idea and that British cities might hopefully take it up, if invited?
§ Baroness BIRKYes, my Lords; in general we think — and I certainly think — that the idea is extremely attractive and interesting. But the proposals are not yet well enough advanced for me to he able to comment on them in any detail.
§ Lord LEATHERLANDMy Lords, will my noble friend bear in mind that the City of Hamburg is notorious for certain of the amenities that it provides, and that it would not be a good idea to contaminate the minds of our own councils?