§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Nature Conservancy Council first requested that basking sharks be brought within the terms of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; when he expects to announce his decision; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoynihanThe Nature Conservancy Council first requested that the basking shark should be brought within the terms of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in its "Quinquennial" review of species submitted to the Secretary of State in October 1986. The Secretary of State has consulted widely on the recommendations contained in the review and hopes shortly to announce his decision on all the species concerned.