§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures his Department is taking to meet its commitments to protect the harbour porpoises in Scottish waters(a) under the biodiversity action plan and (b) under the habitats directive. [11162]
§ Mr. Raymond S. RobertsonThe harbour porpoise is a protected species under relevant provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994, which make provision for the implementation of Council direction 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. The report of the biodiversity action196W plan steering group submitted to the Government in December 1995 contains a suggested action plan for the conservation of the harbour porpoise. The Government will be responding to this report in the spring.