§ Mr. AshdownTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will arrange for the publication of the208W Nature Conservancy Council's report on the future of its reserves; when he intends to respond to this report; and if he will make a statement on Government policy on the future of Britain's state-owned nature reserves.
§ Mrs. Virginia Bottomley[holding answer 8 February 1989]: My right hon. Friend proposes to discuss this report with the chairman of the Nature Conservancy Council as soon as we have completed our initial examination of it and before making any announcement of the Government's response. At that time I would expect to place a copy of the report in the Libraries of both Houses.