§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are now being taken to monitor and evaluate biodiversity in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe monitoring and evaluation of biodiversity in the United Kingdom are described in "Biodiversity: The UK Action Plan", Cm. 2428. A steering group, chaired by my Department, has a remit which includes reviewing and reporting on existing and future monitoring programmes. The steering group is assisted by a specialist sub-group on data, chaired by the chief officer, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, which is seeking to improve the accessibility and co-ordination of existing biological datasets and the integration of monitoring studies and programmes.