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[Baroness Stedman.] suitable conditions, when the effects of such disposal can be reduced to such a level, that little or no ecological dis- turbande Cam be observed. We will naturally take up this question also in the forthcoming negotiations in Brussels.
I share the view-I am sure all noble Lords do- of the noble Lord, Lord Sandford, that here in the United King- dom we are second to none in our environmental endeavours, and I know the Government appreciate your Lord- ships' interest. I hope to have shown the Government's awareness of the problems raised by these draft Directives, and also to have shown how we intend to deal
with them. I have listened with interest
to the debate and have tried to deal with particular points of concern. If I find that I have missed any points, I will get in touch with noble Lords on the points they have raised. Much of what has been said is indeed helpful in supporting the Government's attitude. I would hope in turn that those who have expressed con- cern are reassured about what action the Government intend to take. But I would not wish to be pressed to go beyond the present statements of intent, since, as your Lordships will undoubtedly appre- ciate, this will allow discretion to the Government and will not embarrass them their foom for manoeuvre.
6.45 p.m.
Baroness WHITE: My Lords, I should like to express the gratitude both of myself and my Committee to all noble Lords who have taken part in this debate. Perhaps I might say that we were delighted to have the unexpected bonus of contributions from the noble Lords, Lord Douglas of Barloch and Lord Kennet, which added greatly to the quality of our deliberations. I was also particularly happy that the noble Lord, Lord O'Hagan, who has perhaps as close a knowledge of the workings of the Com- munity as any noble Lord in this House, put our debate into the European context in, I thought, a particularly enlightening and illuminating way. I am also most grateful to my noble friend Lady Stedman for her comprehensive reply to the debate.
If I may make just two small points of regret, they are these. She did not make any reference to the suggestion from the
Poisonous Substances 1360
Committee that there should be con- sideration of building regulations for new houses which would prohibit the use of lead pipes in any new construction. I am sure this inadvertent omission does not mean that the Government will not pay some attention to it. Maybe she will be able to write to us in the Committee to let us know what is proposed. The other matter on which I felt some slight disappointment was her suggestion that it would be possible for the Community to administer a quite separate set of rules for dumping at sea without an element of duplication. I think those on the Com- mittee take this point extremely seriously; we think that where you have adequate, fully international arrangements, it is not desirable as a matter of policy to embark on other rules for the same marine area which inevitably, if they are to mean anything at all, will mean duplication of administration. We would hope very much that our representatives in Brussels will make this point with considerable force.
Finally, I should like to say that 1 trust that our colleagues in Brussels, not least those in the Commission itself, will not take amiss the criticisms we have felt obliged to make. We do so in the most constructive and, we hope, helpful and co-operative way. We genuinely wish to see achieved the objectives aimed at in these various Directives. It is largely the methods to which we have taken exception.
On Question, Motion agreed to.
6.48 p.m.
HONG KONG
Lord BROCKWAY rose to ask Her Majesty's Government what decisions have been reached regarding the social, economic and political future of Hong Kong. The noble Lord said: My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Unstarred Ques- tion standing in my name on the Order Paper. I want to begin by acknowledg- ing that I have not been to Hong Kong, I have not been further East than Singa- pore,. But I have developed over the years a curious identity with the people of Hong Kong. I have had innumerable letters from those resident there. I have tried to study all the reports. I think it likely that the picture" which I have
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