Marine Nature Reserves (Hansard, 28 February 1996)

§ Mr. Hinchliffe
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to increase the number of marine nature reserves. [16808]

§ Mr. Clappison
None in England. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales is currently considering a proposal to designate the Menai straits as a marine nature reserve. Some 36 marine areas containing rare or endangered habitats and species have been identified as possible special areas of conservation under the habitats directive.

§ Mr. Hinchliffe
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action will be taken to protect sensitive and nationally important United Kingdom habitats from the effects of air pollution. [16809]

§ Mr. Clappison
The Government are taking a range of measures to improve air quality throughout the United Kingdom and planning to publish a consultation document on a national air quality strategy later this year which will build on existing national and EC legislation in this area.
The UK is also committed as a signatory to various protocols under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe convention on long-range transboundary air pollution to reducing emissions of a range of air pollutants which have harmful effects on health and the environment.