§ Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 26 June,Official Report, columns 541–42, if he has completed his consideration of the recommendations of the Environment Agency advisory committee on regional boundaries. [36549]
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§ Mr. GummerI have today confirmed the Government's acceptance of the regional boundaries of the Environment Agency proposed by the Environment Agency advisory committee, modified so that the region covered by the Welsh regional environment protection advisory committee corresponds to Wales alone. These proposals build on the successful river catchment based approach developed by the National Rivers Authority, while ensuring integration of pollution control functions in a way which maximises continuity and scope for close and responsive relationships at a local level. For those who deal with the agency, it will ensure the full benefits of bringing together the different environmental regulators while enabling continuation of the best features of existing arrangements. The agency will keep its boundaries under review, so that adjustments can be made in the light of experience if necessary.