§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps have been taken to make environmental data stored on geographical information systems in his Department compatible with (a) geographical information systems data stored by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution, (b) GIS data stored by the United Nations environment programme and (c) geographical information systems data stored by the National Rivers Authority.
§ Mr. HowardThe Department is currently developing a geographical information strategy. This will cover the standards required for exchanging data with its associated agencies and other bodies, and will take into account the standards required for exchanging data with UNEP and other international organisations. H M IP does not yet have a corporate GIS and will be involved in the development of the Department's strategy. The National Rivers Authority has recently completed a feasibility study into geographical information systems and are now developing a more detailed specification including the necessary standards to facilitate data interchange.