§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions have taken place about the establishment of an EC environment inspectorate within the European Commission; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Maclean[holding answer 11 January 1993]: All member states attended a meeting of national experts chaired by the Commission in March 1992 to discuss issues relating to the enforcement of EC environmental legislation, including the establishment of a network of enforcement agencies and the possible creation of an audit-type inspectorate. Subsequently, the Government have continued to press the Commission to bring forward proposals, as originally suggested by the United Kingdom, for a Community body to audit the application of EC environmental legislation, and has secured growing support from other member states for this idea. We will continue to argue its merits.