§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the first meeting of the United Kingdom round table on sustainable development is to be held; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerThe inaugural meeting of the round table will be held on Monday 23 January. Professor Sir Richard Southwood and I will be co-chairmen.
This is a major new body with a vital role in driving forward environmentally sustainable development. It will have the following objectives:
- to help identify the agenda and priorities for sustainable development;
- to develop new areas of consensus on difficult issues of sustainable development and where this is not possible, to clarify and reduce difference;
- >to provide advice and recommendations on actions to achieve sustainable development;
- to help evaluate progress towards objectives; and
- to inform and involve others, building wider support for emerging consensus.
A copy of my letter of invitation to members has been placed in the House Library. A list of members will be placed in the Library shortly.