§ Mr. DafisTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the activities of his Department he has so far identified which threaten biodiversity abroad.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe principles of sustainable development are taken into account in the development of my Department's policies. In international trade for example, the United Kingdom complies with the convention on international trade in endangered species and is participating fully in the trade and environment debate in both the general agreement on tariffs and trade and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
So far as United Kingdom bilateral aid support for infrastructural projects in developing countries is concerned, the Overseas Development Administration guidelines on aid procedures are taken into consideration. The industrial and commercial aspects and the environmental impacts of the project are assessed.
§ Mr. DenhamTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those areas of the United Kingdom international trade he has so far identified where his Department has a role to play to further the objectives of the United Kingdom biodiversity national action plan; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsI have been asked to reply.
International trade, finance and aid issues will be covered in the biodiversity United Kingdom action plan and the sustainable development strategy as appropriate, both of which are due to be published very soon.