§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment 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. Heseltine[holding answer 1 March 1991]:My Department has been active in implementing the commitments made in the Environment White Paper, "This Common Inheritance", since its publication in September. Our departmental report, published on 13 February, recorded progress with a wide range of initiatives, reflecting the White Paper's comprehensive review of policy affecting the environment. These included a 20 per cent. increase in funding for environmental research over the next three years, increased staffing for Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and a £60 million pilot energy efficiency programme for local authority housing.