§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Department of the Environment and the Department of Education and Science on the future of the Nature Conservancy; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterYes, there is close co-ordination between the two Departments on the future of the Nature Conservancy. Mr. R. N. Heaton, a former Deputy Under-Secretary of State in both Departments, has been appointed as special adviser to make recommendations to the two Departments, after discussions with all the parties concerned, including the staff associations, on the detailed arrangements which will be necessary to give effect to the Government's decision on the Nature Conservancy announced in the White Paper on Government Research and Development.