§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) how many times(a) the Ministerial Committee on the Environment, (b) the Ministerial Committee on Competitiveness and (c) the Ministerial Committee on Economic and Domestic Policy have met since 1 January 1995; [8670]
(2) how many papers have been placed before the Cabinet between 1 July and 31 December 1995; how many of these papers were accompanied by a statement of the likely environmental implications; and for each paper which had environmental implications statements which Government Department took the lead in preparing the paper. [8671]
The Deputy Prime Minister"Questions of Procedure for Ministers" makes clear that papers or other information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet or Cabinet Committees are not normally made public, in order to protect the principle of collective responsibility. It also makes clear that the papers for the Cabinet and Cabinet Committees should, wherever appropriate, cover any significant costs or benefits to the environment.