HC Deb 01 April 1993 vol 222 cc347-8W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on matters discussed and decisions taken during his recent visit to India.

Mr. Howard

I visited India from 17 to 21 March in order to underline United Kingdom support for environment conservation measures in India and to emphasise our interest in further co-operation as well as to continue the dialogue with India on international environmental issues.

I toured the Western Ghats forestry project in Karnataka state where our Overseas Development Administration is funding the joint management by local people and the authorities of a large forest area. In Delhi, I had constructive and practical discussions with members of the Indian Government on environmental issues, including the important role our two countries are playing in the follow-up to Rio, on possible further joint initiatives in that context, on international co-operation and on the ways in which British industry can collaborate with and work in India, particularly in the context of the Indo-British partnership initiative. I also met environmental scientists and held discussions with leading industrialists.