§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they accept that the Nature Conservancy Council's proposed marine conservation review will provide the essential scientific basis for a marine conservation programme in the United Kingdom, why they have not provided sufficient funds for the NCC to allow the work to proceed, and when they expect the review to be completed.
§ The Earl of AvonThe NCC proposed marine review when completed will indeed provide a scientific basis for a marine conservation programme in Great Britain. The proposed survey will take a number of years because of the inherent constraints of such work. It is for the NCC to decide how much of their grant-in-aid is directed to this purpose.