§ Mr. RandallTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 22 December 1997,Official Report, columns 433–34 on the Peat Working Group, for what reasons no non-governmental conservation organisation is a member of the group. [29670]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe purpose of the Peat Working Group has been to collate factual information and to advise my Department on the relevant issues. Its membership comprised organisations with a statutory responsibility for either conservation or planning control over peatlands together with the peat industry, who have property and working rights on a number of the bogs. Nature conservation interests were covered by the statutory countryside conservation agencies. The conservation non-governmental organisations (NGOs) together with other interested parties were invited to provide the Group with factual information. Meetings were held between these and officials from my Department on a number of occasions. These organisations were also consulted on the contents of the draft Mineral Planning Guidance Note No. 13 issued in 1995. However, at a recent meeting between officials and representatives of the conservation NGOs, an invitation was extended to them to be represented on the Group when it next meets. I understand that the invitation has been accepted.