§ Mr. DuncanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the international conference for non-governmental organisations announced by the Prime Minister at the Earth summit.
§ Mr. HowardThe Government will host a three-day international conference next year to enable voluntary bodies, local government and the business community to exchange experience on the practical implementation of the Earth summit agreements. The conference will take place in Manchester in September 1993.
The commitment and involvement of all the independent sectors are critical to the effective implementation of the agreements signed at the Earth summit. I am today issuing a consultation note on the conference and welcome views on our proposals from all interested sectors. I have invited Dr. Martin Holdgate, Director General of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, to chair an international steering group to guide the preparation for the conference.