§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what effect the formation of an environment agency will have on the timetable for the introduction of64W waste management licences; when he expects an environment agency to be operational; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BaldryThe Government's proposals for the new Environment Agency are set out in the consultation paper issued on 3 October, copies of which have been placed in the Library. We hope to introduce a Bill early in a new Parliament and our aim is that the agency should be operational as soon as possible following Royal Assent. The Government recognise that the timing of the waste licensing provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, due to come into force on 1 April 1993, may need to be reviewed in the light of the emerging timetable for the new agency.