HC Deb 16 April 1996 vol 275 cc449-50W
Mr. Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what(a) recommendations; (b) public consultations and (c) public statements have been made by the education for sustainable development group within the Scottish Office since its establishment in September 1995; and if he will provide details. [25423]

Mr. Kynoch

In "A Scottish Strategy for Environmental Education", published in June 1995, the Secretary of State asked his advisory group on sustainable development, chaired by Sir Charles Fraser, to take on a national role in environmental education as part of its wider programme on sustainable development. It established a sub-group on education for sustainable development with a remit to review and report on education for sustainable development and the environment, with particular regard topromoting a strategic approach and assessing its effectiveness; suggesting priorities for resource allocation; focusing attention on concerns within sustainable development, in which education has a major influence; suggesting research and monitoring which might underpin the setting of targets; and making recommendations to the advisory group on sustainable development.

The sub-group, chaired by Professor Bart McGettrick, has met on four occasions, beginning on 31 July 1995, and will shortly publish its first action plan setting out its planned programme of activity.