§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which organisations, individuals and statutory bodies he intends to consult regarding the implementation of the EC directive on freedom of access to information on the environment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierMy Department will be consulting a wide range of bodies including those which are directly affected by the directive. I am always willing to consider specific suggestions for the circulation list.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he has given to the implementation of the European Community directive on freedom of access to information into domestic law; and if he has set a target date for its implementation.
§ Mr. TrippierMy Department will be issuing a consultation paper shortly on our proposals. All member states are required to implement the directive in domestic law by the end of 1992. The Water Act 1989 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990 have already provided for public access to registers of pollution consents.