§ Lord O'HAGANasked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have received about the possible dangers of the introduction of Giant (Californian) Kelp into the English Channel; and what steps they have taken to alert the French Government.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, DEPARTMENT of the ENVIRONMENT (Lord Bellwin)We have for some years been cognisant of the problems likely to be associated with the introduction of Giant Kelp (Macrocystis). Recently, the Association of County Councils and the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom have been in correspondence with officials of my department on the subject. The French Government continues to be fully aware of the United Kingdom's attitude towards the intro- 1611WA ductions of Giant Kelp. In 1974 they gave an undertaking that no introduction would be made without the approval of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, in which United Kingdom plays a prominent role.