§ Mr. Strangasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of his officials or appointees are members of the international technical working group established in preparation for the international conference on the environmental protection of the North sea to be hosted by the United Kingdom in November 1987.
§ Mr. AncramOne senior Scottish Office official is a member of the United Kingdom delegation to the scientific and technical working group set up to prepare for the international North sea conference 1987. Appointments will be made to sub-groups as necessary.
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§ Mr. Strangasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will outline what role his Department will play in preparation for promotion of and participation in the international conference on the environmental protection of the North sea, to be hosted by the United Kingdom in November 1987.
§ Mr. AncramThe Scottish Office is already participating fully in the preparations for the international North sea conference 1987. The Department was represented at the international meeting of senior officials (IMSO) in London last November and will participate in the scientific and technical working group, the next meeting of which is to be held in Aberdeen in June. Consideration is also being given to holding the final IMSO in Edinburgh in September 1987 in preparation for the main conference in November.
§ Mr. Strangasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance is currently provided by Departments of the Scottish Office to local authorities on their role in nature conservation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramThe national planning guidelines issued by the Scottish Development Department in 1981 require planning authorities to consider, in consultation with the Nature Conservancy Council, whether their land use planning and development policies are compatible with nature conservation. Further guidance is provided in an associated land use summary sheet on nature conservation and in planning guidelines dealing with specific subjects including coastal planning, aggregate working and skiing developments. Circulars have been issued to local authorities on the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Wildlife and Countryside (Amendment) Act 1985 and the Wildlife and Countryside (Service of Notices) Act 1985. The question of whether further guidance is needed at the present time is currently under review.