asked Her Majesty's Government:What benefits will accrue to British industry from the agreement with the USA on SDI.

As I said on 9th December 1985 and on a number of occasions since then, Her Majesty's Government are optimistic that British firms and institutions will secure a significant part of the work available in this field.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are satisfied that sufficient professional expertise will be available to the metropolitan district councils of Tyne and Wear to discharge land reclamation functions after 1st April 1986.

It is for district councils to consider what professional expertise they need to support the discharge of their functions. The district councils in Tyne and Wear are already involved in land reclamation, and I understand that they have reached agreement in the Co-ordinating Committee on post-abolition arrangements.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will state their policy towards the protection of the natural environment and the maintenance of the SSSI series notified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981–85; and whether they will state under what circumstances a development could be permitted;

The network of sites of special scientific interest being established is protected under the terms of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1985. The Nature Conservancy Council (NCC) must be consulted by planning authorities about proposed developments in sites notified under the Act. This ensures that in reaching decisions planning authorities are fully aware of nature conservation interests, including the NCC's views on the significance of sites under the EC Birds Directive and the Ramsar Convention. These can be considered together with all other aspects of the individual case.