ENVIRONMENT AGENCY (Hansard, 15 July 1992)

§ Lord Strathclyde

The Prime Minister announced last year that the Government had decided to set up an new, independent environment agency for environmental protection and enhancement. We issued a public consultation paper on our proposals and we have been considering the submissions made to us.

The consultation exercise showed that there is widespread support for our proposals to establish a single agency to unify the key regulatory pollution control functions affecting air, land and water. In creating this body, we have been concerned to ensure that there is no weakening in the protection and effective management of the water environment as represented by the well proven concept of integrated river basin management.

We have therefore decided that the agency should bring together all of the functions of the National Rivers Authority, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution and the waste regulation functions of local authorities to form an integrated body.

The agency will cover England and Wales. The Government do not intend to make any changes in existing ministerial policy responsibilities of my right honourable friends the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretary of State for Wales for the activities to be carried out by the environment agency. The agency will report on its activities in Wales to my right honourable friend the 38WA Secretary of State for Wales, and the Government will be considering further the detailed arrangements that will be needed to ensure an appropriate agency presence in Wales. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland will be making an announcement in due course about the arrangements for Scotland.

We propose that local authorities should retain their present responsibility for controlling air pollution from the less polluting industrial processes. However we shall ensure that close liaison is achieved and maintained between the agency and local authorities in the implementation of Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

In the light of comments received, we have decided that the distinctive role of the Drinking Water Inspectorate in protecting the health and safety of water consumers should be maintained and its independence enhanced. We are considering how best to do this. It will not therefore transfer from the Department of the Environment to the environment agency.

The agency will be a substantial new public body responsible for major expenditure and resources. We will be looking for ways to ensure that it provides both effective protection to the environment, and good value for money.

We are now proceeding with drafting the necessary legislation to create the agency and define its scope. The Government intend to establish the new body as soon as possible. Legislation will therefore he introduced at the earliest opportunity.