§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what plans he has to reduce environmental protection measures as overseen by his Department in the Principality;
(2) what assessment he has made of the opportunities to deregulate environmental protection measures in Wales.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe Welsh Office is fully committed to the deregulation initiative. Proposed changes to the Clean Air Act 1993 and Control of Pollution Act 1974—to be implemented using powers contained in the Deregulation and Contracting Out Bill—will take effect in Wales as well as England.
The Government are also currently considering responses to the second round of consultation concerning "Amendments to the Prescribed Processes and Substances Regulations"—a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. Many of its proposals are intended to minimise the regulatory burden on industry without compromising necessary environmental standards.