§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to encourage the use of independent bodies to undertake environmental impact assessments.
§ Mr. NeedhamNone.
§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many environmental impact assessments have been(a) undertaken and (b) brought to a conclusion in Northern Ireland; how many in each case were carried out by (i) the developer (ii) an independent body and (iii) his Department; and how many of the conclusions reached by (1) the independent body and (2) his Department have been at variance with the assessments carried out by the developer.
§ Mr. NeedhamTwenty environmental impact assessments (EIAs) have been undertaken, of which 13 have been brought to a conclusion.
In all cases the developer provided an environmental statement which was considered by the relevant Department. No independent body was involved. No case where an EIA was carried out has been refused.