§ 3.1 p.m.
§ Lord Erroll of Haleasked Her Majesty's Government:
§ Whether they have received any representations from the European Commissioner for the Environment about the Crossrail project, a Private Bill for which a petition has been deposited in Parliament.
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, the Government have not received any representations from the European Commissioner for the Environment about the Crossrail project.
§ Lord Erroll of HaleMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that Answer. However, does he agree that it would be courteous to send Senor Ripa de Meana a copy of the recently published environmental statement, in accordance with EC Directive No. 85/337, and invite his comments?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, no, I cannot agree with my noble friend. While it might be courteous to do so, it is not the Commissioner's business, if I may say so. There is no provision in the directive for the Commission to vet environmental statements for particular schemes. Responsibility for decisions on schemes within the requirement of the directive is a matter for the competent national authority.
§ Lord Stoddart of SwindonMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that for once I am entirely in agreement with what he said? Is he aware that those people 729 already interfere far too much in our affairs? To invite them to interrupt and intervene further would be the height of folly.
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, I have already stated the answer to the noble Lord's point. In accordance with the directive, the promoters of the Bill have produced an environmental impact statement. It is a public document which provides all the detailed information on the project, its site, and its effect on the environment. That is what is required of us.
Lord MorrisMy Lords, has the Commission investigated and indeed reported on the environmental correctness of the new Milan Underground system?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, I do not know. That is another Question. Furthermore, it is not a question for me.
§ Lord Clinton-DavisMy Lords, perhaps I may ask the noble Lord a question that is for him. The Opposition have consistently supported the concept of Crossrail from the beginning. However, are the Government aware that we consider that there is a need to view Crossrail, and indeed other projects, as part of a London-wide strategic plan that covers land use, employment and the economy, development, conservation and environmental protection? Is it not a great pity that there is no authority in place to deal with those critical issues?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, I am not in the slightest way sure what that has to do with the Question on the Order Paper.
§ Lord Clinton-DavisMy Lords, if the Minister cannot see that, he cannot see anything—and that does not surprise me at all.
§ Lord Clinton-DavisMy Lords, I seem to have upset the noble and learned Lord, Lord Hailsham, but that is not difficult. Does not the Minister recognise that it is a question which touches on the environment? My question was directed to the environment and other issues which are associated with the environment. Is the Minister not prepared to understand that?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, is the noble Lord therefore suggesting that the European Commissioner for the Environment, to which the Question refers, should be consulted on matters which the noble Lord has raised which are entirely the business of this Government?
§ Lord Clinton-DavisMy Lords, I am not here to answer questions. The Minister is paid to do that. However, if the Question affects the Crossrail project and its environmental implications, why does not the Minister answer a perfectly serious question about that?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, I have answered the Question. We have not received any representations from the European Commissioner for the Environment on the Crossrail project. Nor did we invite any on this subject, which the noble Lord suggests that we should and on which we certainly should not.