§ Baroness Hamweeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will take steps to integrate environmental safeguards into European regional development policy during the United Kingdom presidency of the European Community.
§ Baroness Denton of WakefieldThe EC structural funds regulations already contain provisions requiring applications for funding to be compatible with Community environmental legislation and policy. However, there is a need for effective implementation and enforcement of that legislation and policy. When the regulations are reviewed, we will certainly consider whether the existing safeguards are sufficient. It is not yet clear whether this will be during the United Kingdom presidency.