HC Deb 24 July 1991 vol 195 c653W
Mr. Gould

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions the Government have had within the European Community on improving standards of air quality monitoring; and what progress has been made.

Mr. Heseltine

My Department takes part in regular discussions with the European Commission and our Community partners on progress in implementing existing air quality directives and prospects for further Community initiatives in this area, including the further development of air quality monitoring within the Community.

The Commission has recently published a draft directive, owing much to United Kingdom practice, on guidelines and monitoring arrangements for ground level ozone. The first phase of the planned expansion of the United Kingdon air quality monitoring network, announced in the White Paper "This Common Inheritance", will be implemented in January 1992.