§ Mr. Hancockasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received from European Governments concerning acid rain; and what has been his response.
§ Mr. WaldegraveOn 15 May, I received from the Swiss ambassador a letter addressed to the Secretary of State for the Environment from the President of the Swiss Confederation, on behalf of the 11 countries which adopted a declaration at Saas Fee on 28 April, enclosing the text of that declaration and asking the United Kingdom to consider, inter alia, joining the initiative to establish a new international agreement to reduce nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbon emissions. My right hon. Friend replied on 30 May saying that the United Kingdom would be happy to take part in initial negotiations on a protocol at the next meeting of the Executive Body of the convention on long range transboundary air pollution in November.
The Norwegian Environment Minister, Ms. Sissel Ronbeck, wrote to me on 28 May about the problem of 636W transboundary air pollution and about the proposed European demonstration reprocessing plant at Dounreay. I expect to reply shortly.