§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department will take steps to encourage a change of natural habitat in the Brent geese and other indigenous wild birds at Foulness to make the projected airport at Maplin Sands free from the danger of bird strike; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerPossible alternative habitats for Brent geese and other wild birds will be one of the issues studied in the research programme I am setting in hand on the impact of the airport on wild life at Maplin. I am currently discussing details with the Nature Conservancy and the Natural Environment Research Council. A complementary study will concentrate on the specific problem of bird strike.