§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Indonesia about wildlife conservation, with particular reference to orang-utans and Tanjung Puting National Park; and if he will make a statement. [99675]
§ Mr. HainThe Government are concerned that forest degradation, including illegal logging in Indonesia and elsewhere, represents a critical threat to the survival of many species including orang-utans. Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other Government departments are in frequent touch with the Indonesian authorities on forest issues. The Government are working with other countries and international institutions to encourage Indonesia urgently to put in place systems to ensure the sustainable management of forests, and the protection of forest habitats. The Department for International Development appointed a Forestry Adviser to Indonesia in January 1999, who is working closely to this end with the Government of Indonesia and local communities.