§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Prime Minister what proposals Her Majesty's Government have to protect the feeding grounds of breeding sea birds in United Kingdom waters under European Economic Community directive 79/49 on the conservation of wild birds; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government's scientific adviser, the Nature Conservancy Council, is in the process of identifying the most important sea bird and gathering grounds in United Kingdom waters. It has published survey results for the North sea and the west of Britain. The final phase, now under way, will cover the English channel and south-west approaches. The Department of the Environment will consider the most appropriate measures to safeguard these areas when the NCC has completed its studies and has advised the Department accordingly.