§ Baroness Macleod of Borveasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are now able to issue advice on the action required to follow up the Second International Conference on the Protection of the North Sea.
The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (The Earl of Caithness)The department has today issued a guidance note to explain the implications of the agreements contained in the ministerial declaration of the Second International Conference on the Protection of the North Sea held in London last November. This demonstrates that the Government have moved more quickly than any other North Sea country in following up that declaration with proposals for action. The guidance note is directed particularly at the water industry, other public utilities and industrial interests. Several aspects of the follow-up action will also be the subject of further detailed guidance following consultation with the bodies directly concerned.
I am arranging for copies of the guidance note to be placed in the Library.