§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the members of the biodiversity action plan steering group; what are its terms of reference; and when he expects it to publish costed targets for key species and habitats.
§ Mr. AtkinsI expect to make an announcement shortly on membership of the group. The status and remit of the group are set out in paragraph 10.40 of "Biodiversity: the UK Action Plan" (Cm 2428) a copy of which is in the Library.
The plan commits the Government to publishing costed targets to key species and habitats during 1995.
§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being taken to improve the accessibility of wildlife data and encourage public awareness and involvement in conserving biodiversity.
§ Mr. AtkinsThese are matters which are being taken forward on a broad front by the Government, the countryside agencies and non-governmental organisations, and which are among the issues to be addressed by the biodiversity action plan steering group.