Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what initiatives have been taken by Her Majesty's Government's representatives at the World Bank to increase the activities of the bank in global environmental protection and environmental development; and what policies on the environment the World Bank currently pursues.
§ Mrs. ChalkerUnited Kingdom representatives have been at the forefront in urging the Bank to increase its attention to environmental matters, most recently at last month's development committee meeting. The Bank has made admirable progress in assessing the environmental problems of developing countries and in devising appropriate policies. We shall continue to press for further progress.
On the question of global environmental protection, the development committee welcomed the Bank's increasing emphasis on energy conservation and efficiency, and encouraged the Bank to assist countries in introducing alternatives to chlorofluorocarbons.