§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence who is the Minister responsible for considering the environmental implications of all of his Department's policies; when that person was appointed; what actions his Department has taken since the appointment of a responsible Minister; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AitkenIn accordance with the Government's policy set out in the White Paper "This Common Inheritance" (Cm 1200), my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence is the nominated Minister responsible for considering the environmental implications of the Department's policies and programmes. My noble Friend assumed this responsibility in April.
Since the appointment of a nominated Minister responsible for environmental matters in September 1990, a network of environment committees has been established within my Department and the three services. The senior committee is the defence environment committee chaired by my noble Friend. The MOD environment manual, which gives practical advice on a wide range of environmental issues, was published in 1991 and has been distributed throughout my Department. At present, the MOD is carrying out a comprehensive environmental review of its activities in order to assess its performance on environmental matters. Further information and details of specific initiatives are contained in the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1991 (Vol. 1, Ch. 5).