§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the EC has initiated proceedings against the United Kingdom Government concerning the rate of designation of special protection areas under the EC directive on the conservation of wild birds; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BaldryGovernment officials have held meetings with representatives of the European Commission following the issue of a reasoned opinion concerning the rate of designation of special protection areas under the EC birds directive. The United Kingdom provided the commission with details of the protection afforded to SPAs and potential SPAs. The Government have identified a firm forward programme of sit designation, of which the recent designation of Rutland Water and the extension of Skokholm SPA to include the islands of Skomer and Middleholm is a part.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to designate the Humber estuary a special protection area under the EC directive on the conservation of wild birds.
§ Mr. BaldryThe former Nature Conservancy Council's proposal for the designation of the Humber estuary as a special protection area for birds is under consideration within government.