HC Deb 24 July 1991 vol 195 cc651-2W
Mr. Gould

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what contributions the Government have made to the scientific study of man-made chemicals which deplete the ozone layer and to the evaluation of alternative chemicals, since September 1990; and what progress has been made.

Mr. Heseltine

The fourth report of the stratospheric ozone review group, which provides advice to the Government on the science of ozone depletion, was published this month. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library, and am sending the hon. Member a copy. The Government actively participate in the Montreal protocol's scientific assessment, co-chairs its technology and economics assessment, and has provided $100,000 for developing country participation. This process is expected to lead to a further strengthening of the protocol in 1992.

Mr. Gould

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in the development of an integrated EC system of pollution control based on the model provided within the Environmental Protection Bill.

Mr. Hesseltine

I am pleased to say that a first meeting of national experts was held in Brussels in May to discuss Commission proposals for an EC system of integrated pollution control which would largely mirror the system introduced in part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and implemented with effect from 1 April this year. Further discussion, on the basis of a draft directive, is expected to take place in early autumn.

Mr. Gould

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new measures the Government have proposed to ensure the stronger monitoring of member states' compliance with, and proper implementaion of, EC environmental obligations.

Mr. Heseltine

The Government attach great importance to these matters and have consistently encouraged the European Commission to take an active role in ensuring that member states fully comply with their environmental obligations. We have pressed the Commission to publish regular statistics on member states' compliance records. We have advocated new proposals to set up a standardised system of reporting by member states on the implementation of existing directives. We have stongly supported other measures which should help to make available more information on compliance with EC legislation, including a directive on public access to environmental information and the creation of the European Environment Agency.

More generally, the Government have called on both the Commission and the European Parliament to produce regular reports on the implementation of EC legislation in all areas, and have submitted proposals to the intergovernmental conference of political union for the European Court of Justice to impose financial sanctions on member states who persistently fail to meet their obligations.

Mr. Gould

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps have been taken since September 1990 to extend and improve monitoring arrangements of emissions to air outdoors; and what has been done to make the results widely available.

Mr. Heseltine

Under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, a wide range of industrial processes in England and Wales will require authorisation either by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution, under the new system of integrated pollution control, or by local authorities, under new air pollution control arrangements. Operators will be required as a condition of authorisation to monitor their releases in order to demonstrate compliance with specified numerical limits; HMIP will be establishing monitoring programmes to check on operators' measurements. Information obtained from these monitoring arrangements will be placed on public registers held by HMIP and local authorities.