§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the extent to which the eco-labelling regulation has been followed by the United Kingdom Eco-labelling Board in its development of criteria for eco-labels; and if he will set out the consultations the board has had with interest groups and the assessment it has made of the full life cycle ecological impact of products.
§ Mr. MacleanI have no reason to believe that the United Kingdom Eco-labelling Board has not followed the requirements of the EC regulations in its development of criteria for eco-labels.
As the board has responsibility for operational aspects of the scheme I have asked it to write to my hon. Friend setting out the consultations it has carried out with interest groups with information on the assessments they have made of the full life cycle ecological impacts of the product groups.
§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to subject the eco-labelling scheme to a full cost-benefit analysis to establish if the environmental improvements achieved are consistent with the time and money being invested.
§ Mr. MacleanWe shall evaluate the effectiveness of the policy as we do with all new policy initiatives to ensure that it meets the objectives set and provides value for money.
§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what reasons underlie the targeting by the United Kingdom Eco-labelling Board of hairsprays, deodorants, and hair styling aids for eco-labels; what plans he has to include furnishings, textiles, hi-fi equipment and other products with known environmental impacts; and if he will make a statement on how product categories for new eco-labels will be selected in future;
(2) what progress is being made with the European eco-labelling scheme; and which product categories he expects to be finalised for launch in June.
§ Mr. MacleanThe United Kingdom Eco-labelling Board has been established to administer and promote I he European Community eco-labelling scheme nationally and has responsibility for dealing with the operational aspects of the scheme. I have therefore asked the board to reply to my hon. Friend direct.