§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will call for the United Nations to hold an urgent debate to discuss how to put a stop to the destruction of the rain forests with a package of economic and technical help specifically designed to help all the inhabitants of the rain forests to protect their way of life and their environment.
§ Mr. Chris PattenHer Majesty's Government are not planning to initiate a debate in the United Nations General Assembly on this important issue as it already forms part of the United Nations systemwide medium-term environment programme for 1990–95. This programme sets out a plan for the sustainable development of tropical forests and woodland ecosystems. It includes implementation of the tropical forestry action plan, involving close co-operation with the International Tropical Timber Organisation.