§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning the designation of the Milford Haven waterway as a special area of conservation; and if he will make a statement. [17375]
§ Mr. HagueMinisters and officials received nine responses following the public consultation exercise undertaken last year from organisations representing a range of interests. Some expressed concern about the socio-economic effects of the proposed designation, others supported it fully, some suggested that the site was not large enough, while others raised queries about the proposed boundaries. All responses received will be taken into account before a decision is made on whether or not to submit the site to the European Commission.
§ Mr. DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to submit his plans for the designation of the Milford Haven waterway as a special area of conservation. [17374]
§ Mr. HagueA public consultation exercise was undertaken last March on over 280 potential special areas of conservation in the United Kingdom. Two hundred and eleven of these sites—including 34 in Wales—have already been submitted to the European Commission as potential SACs. It is hoped that the remaining sites, which include the proposed Milford Haven and Pembrokeshire islands SAC, can be submitted in due course. No decision will be made until all points raised during the consultation have been fully considered.