§ Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made towards ratifying the United Nations convention on biological diversity.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe United Kingdom ratified the convention on biological diversity on 3 June 1994. Before ratifying we had already demonstrated our commitment to the aims of the convention, domestically and internationally, through the production of our biodiversity action plan and through the financial and other assistance we have made available to help developing countries preserve their biodiversity. We look forward to playing a constructive and positive role in the convention and its meetings.