ENGLISH NATURE AND THE HASKINS REVIEW

Early day motion 227, tabled 8 December 2003 by Helen Clark (Labour). Signed by 57 members.

That this House welcomes the principles behind Lord Haskins' review of rural service delivery, designed to improve the rural environment, but is most concerned about the implications for biodiversity and the natural environment throughout England; believes that the excellent work done by English Nature must not be lost in any integrated organisation; and calls on the Government to retain the English Nature name and build on its international reputation and to ensure that any integrated body will have biodiversity, the natural environment and the benefits they bring to people at its core, continue in its role as a monitoring body and be able to provide independent advice to Government as a non-departmental public body.

Signatures by party: Labour 31, Liberal Democrat 16, Conservative 7, Labour/Co-operative 2, Independent 1.