§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the ratification of the biodiversity convention by the United Kingdom; whether 651W he intends to qualify the act of ratification in any way; whether he intends to lodge an interpretative declaration alongside the United Kingdom's signature; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YeoIt remains our intention to ratify the convention on biological diversity given satisfactory progress towards securing safeguards regarding our concerns on the financial provisions of the convention. We intend to reaffirm on ratification the interpretative statements we made on signature.