§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the additional resources to be made available to local authorities to implement air quality monitoring commitments made in the Environment Act 1995 following his 1995 Budget statement. [4943]
§ Mr. ClappisonI have been asked to reply.
Phased implementations of local authorities' new duties in respect of air quality under the Environment Act 1995 will begin next year. The first phase will involve a representative number of local authorities in , England, Scotland and Wales. Criteria for selecting the authorities are being prepared by the local authority air quality management working group of central and local government officials set up by the Department of the Environment to assist with implementation of part IV of the Act. We will shortly announce the first phase authorities and will make funds available to cover necessary increased expenditure.