§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of whether the stated economic benefits of the proposed Cardiff Bay barrage constitute imperative reasons of overriding public interest under article 6(4) of the EC habitats and species directive (92/43/EEC). [8653]
§ Mr. Ron DaviesI have reviewed the content of the discussions between my Department and the European Commission on this subject. The Commission has accepted that the measures proposed by the Government would meet the requirements of article 6(4) of the habitats directive.