§ Mr. McKelveyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether any estimates have been made by his Department on the cost of the various options for environmental impact analysis.
§ Mr. HeseltineThere are not currently any statutory requirements for environmental assessments of projects for development, although major projects are subject, in effect, to such assessments. The extent of any additional costs which might come from applying a statutory requirement for such an assessment would depend on its nature. The Government are currently opposing a draft EC directive on the subject because of their concern to avoid making any unnecessary additions to costs and delays in reaching decisions on projects.