§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. Hanley[holding answer 1 March 1991]: The Northern Ireland Departments, like all others, have been active in implementing and developing the commitments made in the Environment White Paper, "This Common Inheritance", since its publication in September 1990.
The Northern Ireland 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. Additional resources have been secured substantially to extend water quality monitoring and to carry out estuarine studies in environmentally sensitive coastal waters; to extend smoke control areas; to accelerate the survey and declaration of areas of special scientific interest; and to expand the environment service of the Department of Environment for Northern Ireland. The report also records the Department of Agriculture's commitment to the implementation of the countryside management strategy, giving particular emphasis to the prevention of farm sourced pollution and the encouragement of environmentally sensitive farming. The Department of Economic Development has published a consultative paper on energy efficiency with a view to implementing an extensive programme of energy conservation measures outlined in that paper. The Department of Education is taking steps to ensure that environmental issues are given sufficient weight in the programmes of study for the compulsory subjects of the Northern Ireland curriculum.