§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what actions have been taken since the appointment of a Minister in his Department to consider the environmental implications of his Department's policies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HuntThe White Paper, "This Common Inheritance", is of special importance to Wales. That is why the White Paper has a special chapter on Wales and why I published a Welsh version of the abridged White Paper.
Since its publication last September my Department, like all others, has been active in implementing and developing the commitments made in it. Our departmental report published on 15 February recorded progress with a wide range of initiatives, reflecting the White Paper's comprehensive review of policy affecting the environment. These included the two major initiatives by the Welsh Development Agency which I announced last September—"Landscape Wales" and "Urban Development Wales"—on which planned expenditure next year will be increased to £41 million as projected in the departmental report, and the 1991–92 urban programme package which I announced in December. This now stands at £6.6 million and will support many environmental improvements in the Principality.
Other action I have taken to implement the principles of the White Paper include the publication of a design guide for roads in rural areas; the launch of an environmental competition for schools in Wales; and a conference on green belts in Wales.