§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action has been taken since 6 December 1978 to implement the recommendations made by his environmental board in 1977 that his Department should investigate methods of improving the level of technical awareness of design problems of elected members of local authorities; and whether he will seek an early conclusion of this matter.
§ Mr. FoxThe possibility of seminars for elected members has been looked into and the board's recommendation is no longer being pursued.
§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether, in the light of four and a half years' experience, he will review the decisions of the former Secretary of State, the late right hon. Member for Grimsby, on the Matthew-Skillington report, and, in particular, the proposal for a chief environmental architect, which was rejected; and whether he will make a statement;
- (2) whether he will make a statement on the future of his environmental board; what is its current programme of work; and what publications it has produced since its first report;
- (3) whether he will strengthen the membership of his environmental board to include more practical builders or developers.
§ Mr. FoxFollowing the Matthew-Skillington report, it was decided to deal with a number of the problems which the report identified by the establishment of the environmental board. This arrangement is now under review. Currently the board is mainly concerned with publicity for examples of good planning and design. The board has published reports on infill development and new industrial development.