§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 5 January 2004,Official Report, column 90W, on albatrosses and petrels, if the United Kingdom will ratify the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels before the first meeting of the parties on 2004. [147162]
§ Mr. MorleyWe are keen to ratify this Agreement as soon as possible and very much hope that we will be able to do so before the first meeting of the parties.
§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 5 January 2004,Official Report, column 90W, on albatrosses and petrels, what legal and other assistance the Government are giving to the UK overseas territories of (a) South Georgia/South Sandwich Islands, (b) Falkland Islands and (c) Tristan/Gough to enable them to submit their ratifications of the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels on time for the first meeting of the parties in 2004. [147179]
§ Mr. MorleyThe UK continues to provide assistance to, and work closely with, all the Overseas Territories referred to by the hon. Member. We are keen to ratify the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels as soon as possible and we are giving priority to those Overseas Territories that have the necessary legislation in place or have formally requested that ratification be extended to them.