§ Dr. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when his Department received details of the Wash site of special scientific interest, Norfolk/Lincolnshire, from the Nature Conservancy Council together with its recommendations to list this site under 265W the Ramsar convention and the European Community directive on the conservation of wild birds; and when listing can he expected.
§ Mr. RidleyProposals for listing The Wash (north Norfolk and Lincolnshire coast) as a special protection area under EC directive 79/409 and as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar convention were submitted to this Department by the Nature Conservancy Council in March 1984. The listing of this site raises complex issues which we have not been able to resolve as quickly as I would have wished. Discussions on the matter are continuing and we shall endeavour to bring these to a conclusion as soon as possible.