§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will confirm:
(a) that what they described in a Written Answer to Lord Melchett (H.L. debates 30th October 1985, col. 1599) as "an informal visit" to Duich Moss on Islay on 4th October by Dr. Kramer of the European Commission was in fact, as confirmed by the Director General for the Environment of the Commission of the European Communities, "an official mission", and that the United Kingdom permanent representation was informed of the Commission's intention to visit Duich Moss, and
(b) That their statement in a Written Answer to Lord Melchett (H.L. debates, 30th October 1985, col. 1599) that "In response to a request from the Commission, two officials of the Scottish Development Department accompanied Dr. Kramer on the visit, and that department made arrangements, at the Commission's request, for representatives of Scottish Malt Distillers Limited to be present to demonstrate the operations which the company have undertaken and propose to undertake" was inaccurate, and that in fact the Director General for the Environment of the Commission of the European Communities has stated that "neither had there been a request from the Commission to have representatives from the Scottish Development Department present, nor has any such request been made as regards representatives of Scottish Malt Distillers Limited; and
(c) that this is the second time that they have provided inaccurate information to Parliament about the destruction of the Site of Special Scientific Interest at Duich Moss.
§ The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Lord Gray of Contin)the visit by Dr. Kramer was arranged at short notice following a telephone call from the Commission to the office of the United Kingdom Permanent Representative on 26th September. The visit was informal in that its main purpose was exploratory; it was to enable Dr. Kramer to acquaint himself with the site and, if possible, to meet those who had complained to the Commission about the works being undertaken there, rather than to hold formal discussions. It was always recognised that the visit was undertaken in his official capacity.
Because the visit was arranged at short notice most of the details were settled by telephone. It is the clear recollection of my officials that the presence of representatives from the Scottish Development Department and Scottish Malt Distillers Limited was requested by the Commission, and there has certainly been no suggestion either at the time or since that Dr. Kramer had any objection to their presence. I do not therefore accept that my noble friend's earlier Answer (H.L. debates 30th October 1985, col. 1599) was inaccurate.