HL Deb 09 July 1997 vol 581 c81WA
Lord Beaumont of Whitley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to establish Special Areas of Conservation as required by the EU Habitats Directive for harbour porpoises; if so, when; and if not, why not.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Baroness Hayman)

There are no SAC proposals for this species because the available scientific evidence is insufficient to identify sites which meet the requirements set out in Article 4(1) of the directive relating to aquatic species which range over wide areas.