§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to make additional financial resources available to implement the European Union directive—92/43/EEC—on the conservation of natural habitats of wild fauna and flora; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 1 February 1994]: The Secretary of State for the Environment has asked his advisers on nature conservation, English Nature, to give implementation of the habitats directive the highest 808W priority for resources. Grants in aid to English nature for the financial year 1994–95 will be £40.405 million, an increase of 6.56 per cent. over the current year.