§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are aware of the damage done to the Lough Neagh and Lough Beg "Ramsar" site by extensive land drainage operations near Church Island; whether an investigation into the damaging effect of these operations will be instituted; and whether they can confirm that graint-aid for these works will not be provided.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Lyell)The Government are aware that limited drainage works have been undertaken on part of the western shoreline of Lough Beg inside the Ramsar site, and the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland is assessing whether there will be any harmful effects resulting from these drainage works. No application for grant-aid for these drainage works has been submitted.