§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps the Government have taken to evaluate evidence and research about climatic change; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Government maintain a close watch on developments in the understanding of climate change, primarily through my Department's climate change prediction programme at the Meteorological Office's Hadley centre. The programme seeks to greatly improve our understanding of human impacts on the climate system and to provide improved predictions of future climate change. The programme also provides continual advice on the latest research results and current climate events and trends. The Hadley centre also provides a focus for the United Kingdom's effort on climate change research.
The Government also look to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change—IPCC—to provide a well-balanced and comprehensive review of all the issues relating to climate change. The IPCC has prepared a number of assessments including an interim report this year and will prepare a major assessment in 1995.