§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether any environmental impact assessment has been carried out, or is intended, into their decision to reduce the tax on cars and to encourage road-building, while omitting to encourage public transport; and, if none is being or is to be carried out, what is the reason for that, given that it appears incompatible with the Government's expressions of environmental seriousness in Agenda 21.
The Earl of CaithnessThe Government take environmental factors into account when all decisions are taken, including decisions on tax changes. This is made clear in paragraph 3.21 ofThis Common Inheritance—The Second Year Report (cm 2068).
The Autumn Statement did not omit to encourage public transport. The settlement will allow British Rail and London Transport to invest more in real terms next year than in any year in the 1970's and the 1980's.