§ Mr. Michael BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how his Department's policies, programmes and expenditure are being redirected towards global sustainable development.
§ Mr. RidleyThe Government's response to the report of the World Commission on Environment and Development, issued by my Department in July, explained what we are doing to promote the concept of sustainable development. As the Prime Minister's foreword pointed out, all relevant Departments of State have been invited to examine their policies in the light of the World Commission's recommendations. Global issues require action by the international community as a whole and my Department, in collaboration with others, is taking a leading role in international organisations such as the United Nations and OECD to ensure that sustainable development is integrated into all their activities.