§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many article 169 letters, under the Maastricht treaty, Her Majesty's Government have received in respect of alleged breaches of European Union environment regulations since 1992; and if he will make a statement on the current outstanding article 169 environmental cases. [7034]
§ Mr. ClappisonSince 1992 my Department has received letters commencing proceedings under article 169 of the treaty of Rome in 29 cases in respect of environmental legislation. Twenty-one cases are currently outstanding.