§ 61. Mr. Kimballasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, as representing the Lord President of the Council, when the Committee of the Privy Council responsible for the Nature Conservancy last met; how often they have met in the last seven years; and when they next expect to meet again.
§ Mr. GodberAs in the case of other Privy Council Committees, consultation is informal, and rulings are given through my noble Friend as Chairman of the Committee after such consultation wherever necessary. No occasion calling for a formal meeting of the Committee as such has occurred since the establishment of the Conservancy in 1949.
§ 62. Mr. Kimballasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, as representing the Lord President of the Council, if he is aware that the Nature Conservancy are not acting within their terms of reference in preserving and encouraging the coypu, a South American mammal, to colonise the Fens and Broads; and what action he proposes to take to prevent the Nature Conservancy continuing these activities.
§ Mr. GodberThe coypu was already well established at Hickling Broad and the Bure Marshes, when the Nature Conservancy delcared these two areas as Nature Reserves last year. Until more is known about this animal as the result of scientific research the Conservancy are taking no active steps to encourage or discourage it.