§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he intends to take during the United Kingdom presidency of the EC Council of Ministers to establish an international review process for the forest and desertification principles outlined at the Earth summit; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI have been asked to reply.
On forests I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 6 July at column 17. On desertification, we expect the UN General Assembly this autumn to establish an intergovernmental negotiating committee to elaborate an international convention on desertification. We will be co-ordinating the position of the EC during the General Assembly as part of our presidency responsibilities.