§ Mr. Woodasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what contribution he is making to preparations for discussing environmental questions at the economic summit on 2 to 4 May.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinUnder the title "The Way Forward" I have today published the conclusions of an informal meeting I chaired in London on 17 December 1984 with Environment Ministers of Summit countries.
We considered a wide range of international issues and put forward recommendations for future action. While we recognise the urgent priorities facing each of the nations represented, we also addressed a broader view of emerging environmental issues which are developing on a world scale and which can be expected to post problems over the next decades. With the recent disaster at Bhopal very much in our minds we were particularly concerned with the risks that can attend the transfer of technology or of hazardous chemicals to developing countries. We agreed also that as developed countries we need to intensify cooperation both bilaterally and in the various international bodies of which we are members, notably the OECD, if we are to solve the environmental problems confronting the world.
I am confident that the conclusions of the meeting will be of wide interest to everyone who is concerned with deciding clear priorities for safeguarding our environment. Perhaps the most important single message is the emphasis that we placed on the indivisibility of environmental and economic policies.
"The Way Forward" will be presented to Heads of State or Government as background to their environmental discussions at the Bonn economic summit. A copy has been placed in the Library.