§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will publish the minutes of the meetings of the Green Ministers; [8672]
(2) when the Green Ministers last met; who attended; and what issues were discussed; [8673]
(3) if he will publish a list of the contacts of green officials for each Government Department; [8674]
(4) if he will publish a regular six-monthly list of environmental appraisals by Government Departments. [8675]
§ Mr. ClappisonGreen Ministers last met on 6 July 1995 and discussion included progress on priorities and targets in the 1995 "This Common Inheritance" annual report and possibilities for the 1996 report, indicators of sustainable development, quality in town and country and green housekeeping activities. Almost all Green Ministers attended or were represented at that meeting. A further meeting scheduled for 2 November had to be postponed and will now take place on 29 January. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will discuss then with colleagues whether minutes of meetings and a list of official contacts should be published.
The Government are committed to reporting further on the use of environmental appraisal in Government policy, but we have already published "Environmental Appraisal in Government Departments". a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library.