§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what timetable has been agreed between the United Nations International Maritime Organisation and the EC Council of Ministers to consider the submissions for tanker exclusion zones around areas of ecological interest.
§ Mr. MacleanI know of no such agreement between the International Maritime Organisation and the European Community Council of Ministers: nor would I expect to see one. However, the IMO maritime safety committee will be considering various proposals from the United Kingdom and other EC member states at its next meeting in May. The European Commission, as part of the follow-up to the EC joint environment/Transport Council of Ministers is organising a meeting on 21 April to discuss the definition of environmentally sensitive maritime areas.