HC Deb 30 June 1993 vol 227 c520W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the reasons for the delays in implementation of the Darwin initiative announced at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.

Mr. Yeo

Following the Prime Minister's initial announcement of the Darwin initiative and the announcement by the then Secretary of State for the Environment, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard), about its funding a major consultation exercise elicited over 200 responses. An independent advisory committee examined the responses and recently reported its recommendations to Ministers. We hope very soon to invite bids for specific projects.