§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what changes he expects to introduce to his Department's monitoring of environmental proposals developed by the European Commission following the Commission's announcement on 11 July of a new set of guidelines to strengthen the environmental content of Commission proposals. [10618]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 25 July 1997]: I strongly welcome the strengthening of its internal procedures announced by the European Commission on 11 July, so that environmental considerations are better integrated into the whole range of its policy proposals. Consideration of every Commission proposal is coordinated by the Government Department most closely concerned, to ensure that its implications are assessed against the entire range of Government policies and objectives, including those for protection of the environment. We will keep the impact of the Commission's new measures under review, and will consider whether any further action is necessary.