§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what matters were discussed, what conclusions were reached and which Departments were represented by officials at the meeting of Green Ministers on 22 March; and if he will make a statement. [76519]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 23 March 1999]: The Green Ministers Committee met on 22 March. This is the first of three meetings planned for 1999.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Deputy Prime Minister attended the Committee's meeting and we were able to have a very positive discussion of environmental tax reforms in the light of the measures announced in the Budget on 9 March 1999, Official Report, columns 173–90. The meeting also heard that the Government would shortly be able to take another important step forward on sustainable development when the sustainable development strategy for the UK is published shortly.
The Green Ministers Committee also considered and agreed next steps on a number of other important issues. In particular, it agreed:
on the format and outline for its first published report due to be issued in the summer. The report will cover progress in promoting sustainable development across Government; developments in the use of environmental appraisals as part of the policy making process; and, the further progress made across departments to green their operations.to report to the Cabinet Committee on the Environment on how sustainable development is being reflected in the aims and objectives of departments and their associate bodies. This will also be covered in the published report in the summer.that an early dialogue should be initiated with the new devolved administrations when they are all up and running to agree on the most effective and appropriate mechanisms for links between the Committee and those administrations.that departments should take forward work on developing new energy efficiency targets for the public sector to replace the one set for March 2000. The Committee will consider this further later in the year.15 of the 18 departments were represented by Ministers. The Department of Social Security and the Home Office were represented by officials and the Scottish Office was not represented.The next meeting of Green Ministers will be held on Tuesday 6 July 1999.