§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what representations he has received from ornithological bodies on the need to preserve Aldabra Atoll in the Indian Ocean; and what reply he has sent;
(2) what representations he has had from the Royal Society on the need to preserve the unique natural habitat of Aldabra Atoll in the Indian Ocean; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. Gordon WalkerEarly this year, the concern of scientists, not confined to the United Kingdom and including ornithological interests among many others, about the possibility that an air-staging post might be established on Aldabra was brought to the notice of my predecessor both by the Royal Society and by the Natural Environment Research Council. At his request, these bodies and the British Museum (Natural History) provided him with their agreed assessment of the probable consequences of such development for the ecosystem and scientific interest of the atoll, and my Department is maintaining close contact with them. No representations have been made to me by other bodies. As the bodies concerned have been assured, this advice will be an important factor to be52W taken fully into account, with other factors lying outside my departmental field when a decision is made.