asked Her Majesty's Government:

What new nature conservation information they have received since August 2006 regarding the need for protecting the full 60 square miles of the Lyme Bay reefs from scallop dredging. [HL718]

Since August 2006, Defra has received specific conservation information from a variety of sources including reports by the Devon Wildlife Trust, Natural England and Bangor University. Conservation information continues to arrive both as a result of scientific research and in response to the current consultation on measures to protect marine biodiversity in Lyme Bay reefs. Defra will examine all the evidence when reaching a decision on how best to achieve that protection.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What new information they have received since August 2006 regarding the economic benefits of protecting the 60 square miles of Lyme Bay reefs from scallop dredging. [HL719]

Since August 2006, Defra has received information from a variety of sources on the economic costs and benefits of protecting the 60 square miles of Lyme Bay reefs. Included in this information is the Devon Wildlife Trust Homarus report, Estimate of Economic Values of Activities in Proposed Conservation Zone in Lyme Bay. Many organisations are contributing other economic information in response to the current consultation on measures to protect marine biodiversity in Lyme Bay. Defra will consider all the evidence when reaching a decision on how best to achieve that protection.