Written question asked by Tim Yeo (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 5 March 1997. It was answered by James Clappison (Conservative) on Wednesday, 5 March 1997 on behalf of the Department of the Environment.

Dept of the Environment

Question: If he will support proposals for negotiations on (i) a Freshwater Convention and (ii) a Forest Convention at the Earth Summit II.

Answer: Mr. Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will support proposals for negotiations on (i) a freshwater convention and (ii) a forest convention at the Earth summit II. [18497] Mr. Clappison: The Government believe that negotiations on a Forest convention should begin as soon as possible. We want the special session of the UN General Assembly to endorse this. Negotiations on a global convention on the non-navigational uses of transboundary watercourses commenced last autumn in the sixth committee of the UN General Assembly. The proposed convention, which is the result of long work in the International Law Commission, addresses most significant aspects of freshwater. The United Kingdom supports, and is making constructive contributions to these negotiations, which are planned to resume just before Easter.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 18497; 291 c634W
Session: 1996-97
Subjects: Environment protection Forests Protection Water UN Conference on Environment and Development Conferences