§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will name the green Minister for his Department and list(a) the green initiatives taken by that Minister in respect of the Department's functions, (b) the representations made by the Minister in respect of functions carried out by other departments and (c) the input made by the Minister into consultations on the Environment Bill. [18644]
§ Mr. Heathcoat-Amory[holding answer 5 April 1995]: I am the green Minister for the Chancellor's Departments, but all my ministerial colleagues take an interest in environmental issues as they affect their responsibilities. Treasury Ministers are responsible for fiscal measures, and play an active part in the consideration of all environmental initiatives with significant public expenditure or supply side implications; they have been closely involved in discussion of the measures set out in the Environment Bill. The Chancellor's last Budget announced his intention to introduce a tax on landfill waste, and reaffirmed the decision progressively to increase excise duty on fuel in real terms.