§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) when the consultation period ended on the proposed special area of conservation for the Pembrokeshire islands; and which individuals and organisations registered objections; [22018]
(2) if he will place in the Library a copy of the bjections to the proposed Pembrokeshire islands special area of conservation including any maps of the area concerned. [22016]
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe consultation period on the proposed Pembrokeshire islands special area of conservation ended on 22 June 1995.
It is not proposed to place copies of responses in the Library of the House. Copies of objections received following the national consultation exercise are kept in the Welsh Office library, and can be viewed on request. Responses to the local consultation were treated as in confidence by the Countryside Council for Wales.
§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library a map of the proposed special area of conservation known as the Pembrokeshire islands as recommended by the Countryside Council for Wales. [22020]
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§ Mr. JonesAs I said in my letter of 29 March 1995 to the hon. Member, maps of all potential special areas of conservation on which we consulted last year have been placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is the procedure for approving special areas of conservation under the EU habitats directive; and what are the deadlines relating to the Pembrokeshire islands special area of conservation; [22019]
(2) when he plans to forward to the European Commission his final recommendation on the special area of conservation for the Pembrokeshire islands; [22021]
(3) what is the current position of the Pembrokeshire islands proposed special areas of conservation under the EU habitats directive; and if he will make a statement. [22017]
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesI refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Environment to my hon. Friend the Member for Hexham (Mr. Atkinson) on 9 January,Official Report, columns 6–8, in which he stated that further sites would be forwarded to the Commission when the remaining points raised during consultation have been fully considered. Discussions are continuing regarding Pembrokeshire islands; it is hoped that a further meeting of interested parties to be held shortly will enable an announcement to be made shortly.