§ Mr. McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to establish a national environment agency; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Paul BeresfordMr right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment published on Thursday 13 October draft legislative provisions to establish an Environment Agency for England and Wales and a Scottish Environment Protection Agency, together with a draft of the management statement for the Environment Agency. Copies have been placed in the House Libraries. The published draft clauses and schedules set out the constitution of the new agencies and their functions, powers and duties. They represent the core legislative provisions relating to the agencies, which will be presented to Parliament at the earliest opportunity as part of an environmental Bill. This early publication of the agency provisions will give interested parties a chance to inform themselves of the details of the proposed legislation before it is introduced to Parliament.