§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the consent he gave for the construction of an electricity power line across the site of special scientific interest at Canford Heath, Dorset;
(2) whether an environmental impact assessment was submitted with the application to construct an electricity power line at Canford Heath, Dorset;
(3) what assessment he made of the effect of the proposed electricity power lines across Canford Heath, Dorset on the site of special scientific interest, prior to granting consent;
(4) what consultations he had with the European Commission concerning the application of the European Community directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds (79/409/EEC) to the proposed electricity power line across Canford Heath, Dorset, prior to giving consent.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy, has today placed in the318W Library of the House copies of the decision letter and the two consents which were issued on 17 June. As is explained in the decision letter he considered carefully whether to require an environmental statement but decided that he already had sufficient environmental information to enable him to reach a decision. As the decision letter also makes clear he considered very carefully the environmental effects of the proposals, particularly in the light of the requirements of the EC directive on the conservation of wild birds, in reaching his decision. No consultations were held with the European Commission since implementation of the directive is the responsibility of member states.