[holding answer 4 December 2006]: DTI is carrying out the appropriate assessment of the environmental effects of awarding licences on relevant conservation sites as required under the Habitats Directive. We are in the process of finalising the appropriate assessment and are considering the issues that have arisen some of which raise concerns regarding the possible environmental effects of potential awards. We are addressing these issues as a matter of urgency. It is important that environmental concerns are considered fully and as a result we do not have an exact timing for a decision on awards.