§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 1 March 1991]: As the responsible Minister I have set up a new framework for co-ordinating and monitoring Scottish action on the various policy commitments in the White Paper "This Common Inheritance" which was published in September. From the turn of the year the Scottish Development Department was renamed the Scottish Office Environment Department and will take the lead in following up the White Paper.
Legislation was introduced earlier this Session to merge the Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland and the Countryside Commission for Scotland to form Scottish Natural Heritage from 1 April 1992. I have increased the funding available to voluntary bodies for environmental 68W activities and commissioned a major survey of attitudes in Scotland to the environment. New guidance has been issued on the design and location of rural housing.
Various measures are being taken to improve Scottish Office housekeeping, including steps to meet energy efficiency targets and to make greater use of recycled products.