HC Deb 19 October 1989 vol 158 c185W
Mr. Yeo

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, pursuant to his reply on 21 December 1988 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk,Official Report, columns 283–85, whether the Natural Environment Research Council has yet published the final report on its comprehensive environmental evaluation of the proposed new British Antarctic Survey airstrip at Rothera Point; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. MacGregor

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has recently published the final comprehensive environmental evaluation of the proposed new British Antarctic Survey airstrip at Rothera Point. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary circulated the draft of this report to consultative parties to the Antarctic treaty; copies were also made available to various non-governmental organisations. The helpful comments received were taken into account by the NERC in preparing the final report.

I commend this thorough report to hon. Members as further evidence of the Government's continuing concern for the environment.