HC Deb 06 March 1990 vol 168 cc553-4W
Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to introduce initiatives on(a) prevention of sea disposal of wastes, reductions in atmospheric pollution from transport, long-term monitored storage for radioactive waste, and (d) measures to combat the greenhouse effect at the next Council of European Environment Ministers in Brussels on 22 March.

Mr. Trippier

It is the sole prerogative of the Commission to put forward proposed measures for action by the European Community. Responsibility for setting

Net current expenditure
Year-on-year Percentage Change
Cash Terms £ million Real terms 1989–90 Prices 1£ million Cash terms Real Terms
1981–82 101.787 157–831
1982–83 112.024 162.009 10.1 2.6
1983–84 116.162 160.501 3.7 –0.9
1984–85 122.959 161.851 5.9 0.8
1985–86 132.523 165.548 7.8 2.3
1986–872 164.623 198.947 24.2 20.2
1987–88 178.736 205.117 8.6 3.1
1988–89 196.764 210.537 10.1 2.6
1989.90 212.809 212.809 8.2 1.1
1981–82 to 1989–90 109.1 34.8
1981–82 270 419
1982–83 297 430 10.0 2.6
1983–84 308 425 3.7 -1.2
1984–85 326 429 5.8 0.9
1985–86 352 439 8.0 2.3

the agenda for meetings of the Council of Ministers rests with the member state holding the Presidency of the Council, currently Ireland. Nevertheless I have asked the Presidency to consider a number of possible initiatives for consideration by the Environment Council on 22 March, including the Community's role in global action to tackle the greenhouse effect.