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Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Answer

Mrs. Brinton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many of the (a) Bills and (b) draft Bills in the Queen's Speech have had an environmental appraisal undertaken of them. [147317] Mr. Meacher: The Government's policy is that significant environmental costs and benefits should be identified alongside economic and social considerations, during policy development or review. All Departments have procedures for screening their policies for environmental impacts and the systems in place are detailed in Chapter 4 of "Greening Government" the Second Annual Report of the Green Ministers Committee, 2000 published in November last year. On DETR measures mentioned in the Queen's Speech there has, as yet, been no environmental appraisal for the Homes Bill. It is proposed that seller's packs, introduced as a result of the Bill, will include information on the energy efficiency of homes and this should lead to improvements by buyers that benefit the environment. An environmental appraisal will be carried out when the contents of seller's packs have been determined, following consultation with interested parties. Our initial assessment of the proposals for the draft Safety Bill suggests there is no need for an environmental appraisal. If, as the proposals develop, it becomes apparent that there is an effect on the environment, we will review the position. DETR also has the lead interest in the leasehold elements of the Lord Chancellor's Commonhold and Leasehold Bill. These relate to the respective rights and obligations of residential long leaseholders and their freeholders, which carry no environmental implications.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

362 c377-8W; 147317

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Environment Environmental impact assessment Public bills

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk