§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had about the protection of the haunts of laughing geese on Islay with the European Commission.
§ Mr. AncramCommunications with the European Commission on protecting the habitat of wild birds in Great Britain are normally a matter for the Secretary of State for the Environment, after consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland where a Scottish site was concerned. There has however been no such exchange in respect of Islay, which is not classified as a special protection area under the EC Bird Directive 79/409/EEC.