§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what audit of the natural resources of the dependent territories has been undertaken; and if he will make a statement. [24970]
§ Mr. Tony LloydWe have extensive knowledge of the natural resources in the Dependent Territories, although no single comprehensive audit exercise has been undertaken. We place a high priority on working with Dependent Territory Governments to identify, use responsibly and protect their natural resources. We have responsibility in partnership with the Dependent Territories for the further development of the Territories, and for reminding them of their responsibilities under the environmental conventions to which they belong.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent carbon dioxide targets in respect of Kyoto will be applied to dependent territories; and if he will make a statement. [24971]
§ Mr. FatchettThe United Kingdom's ratification of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change has not been extended to the Dependent Territories. It is unlikely that the substantive emissions reductions targets agreed at Kyoto would be appropriate to the small developing economies of the Dependent Territories.
After the United Kingdom has signed the Kyoto Protocol to the Climate Change Convention, we will consider again with the Dependent Territories whether they wish to have the Convention and/or the Kyoto Protocol extended to them.