§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his oral answer of 18 February,Official Report, column 16, what estimate he has made of the number of civil servants involved, technically or administratively, in requests from neighbouring Arab states in the Gulf for help in cleaning up oil slicks.
§ Mr. HeseltineIn my Department, which has had the lead in environmental aspects of the Gulf conflict, around 20 civil servants have been involved to some degree in responding to these issues, including requests for assistance from the Gulf states. For about five staff, this has been a major part of their work. In other Departments closely involved the position is similar.