§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies he has made of the effect of road traffic from Maplin on transport congestion in London.
§ Mr. PeytonRoad traffic for the airport should be within the capacity of the road system planned for Greater London.
§ Mr. Topeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish the progress reports of discussions currently being held between the Department and the Nature Conservancy research team concerning the wild life of Foulness island and Maplin sands.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsThe contract for the wildlife research programme for Maplin requires the Natural Environment Research Council to submit progress reports to my Department. These deal with the stages reached on each component of the project. The research staff have working contacts with Government scientists in related fields, for example at the Hydraulics Research Station, and meetings at the Department have been concerned mainly with ensuring that there is adequate liaison.
The Nature Conservancy is free to make scientific data available and are, in fact, in regular touch with voluntary organisations interested in conservation. The research is not yet sufficiently advanced for publication.