Lord CHELWOODasked Her Majesty's Government:
When the EEC Commission's proposal for a Council Directive on wild birds' conservation was presented; when it was discussed in the Council Environment Working Group; how it was received; what consultation there has been with the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee; and when it is hoped that there will be sufficient agreement for the Directive to be approved.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, DEPARTMENT of the ENVIRONMENT (Baroness Birk)The proposed Directive was presented to the Council of Ministers on 20th December 1976, when it was approved for publication in draft. The draft was first discussed by the Environment Working Group on 11th March 1977, when it was generally well received, and it is due to be considered again at a further meeting later this month. Both the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee have been asked for opinions on the proposed Directive; these bodies are currently considering the text, and their reports are expected in the near future. It is clear that the draft still requires a considerable amount of study in the Working Group, and it seems unlikely that it will be ready for re-submission to the Council of Ministers much before the end of the year.