§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the methods adopted by the European Commission to assess compliance with EC environmental legislation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanIt is for the European Commission to decide, within the framework of the relevant regulation or directive, how best to assess compliance with EC legislation. During our presidency the Commission agreed to present an annual report on implementation and enforcement to the Council of Environment Ministers; the first such report was produced in December. We continue to wish to see the European Environment Agency established as soon as possible and to press for the establishment of an audit inspectorate.