HC Deb 19 December 1995 vol 268 c1101W
Mr. Peter Atkinson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will publish the final report of the advisory committee on Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution; and if he will make a statement. [7435]

Mr. Clappison

I am today placing a copy of the committee's final report in the Library of the House, together with responses by the inspectorate and the Environment Agency.

I am grateful to the committee for producing a final report, which will assist in preparing for the inspectorate's entry into the agency. The report provides a valuable independent assessment of the inspectorate's strengths, and it provides a set of recommendations to guide the further development of the effectiveness and efficiency of pollution regulation in the future.

I am pleased that the inspectorate and the agency have responded constructively to the committee's recommendations and are taking the necessary action to implement them.