HL Deb 08 February 1972 vol 327 c1121WA
LORD KENNET

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many meetings Mr. Ralph Verney's working party in preparation for the Stockholm United Nations Conference has held with individuals and organisations to determine their views;

How many meetings Sir Eric Ashby's working party in preparation for the Stockholm United Nations Conference has held with individuals and organisations to determine their views.

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (LORD SANDFORD)

Both working parties issued a general invitation for evidence to bodies with a special interest in their subjects. Mr. Ralph Verney wrote to some 125, and Sir Eric Ashby to 112. Both the working parties are large, and their membership covers a wide spectrum of knowledge and expertise on the matters they are studying. These working parties have not found it necessary to take oral evidence on a formal scale, but the chairmen and members of both have made informal soundings on the written evidence and on points that have emerged in their deliberations.