HC Deb 17 July 1996 vol 281 cc517-8W
Mr. Barry Field

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list the local authorities which have designated an officer responsible for Agenda 21; [37508]

(2) if he will list the local authorities which have launched projects on sustainability under Agenda 21; [37510]

(3) if he will list the local authorities which have carried out environmental audits under Agenda 21; [37509]

(4) if he will list the local authorities which have adopted an action plan for Agenda 21. [37507]

Mr. Clappison

The Department does not hold this information. Statistical information about Local Agenda 21 is contained in the 1996 survey of Local Agenda 21 activity in local government in the UK. The survey was carried out by the environment resource and information centre, university of Westminster, for the Local Government Management Board, on behalf of the Local Agenda 21 UK steering group. Copies of the survey have been placed in the House Library.

Mr. Field

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on progress by local authorities on Local Agenda 21. [37506]

Mr. Clappison

Good progress is being made at local level by local authorities in partnership with all sectors of their communities to develop local strategies for sustainable development, through the Local Agenda 21 process. More than 300 local authorities in the UK have embarked on the process and the end of 1996 is the target for production of these strategies.

The 1996 Local Agenda 21 survey is based on a 58 per cent. response from 478 local authorities. It shows that more than 90 per cent. of respondents are participating in Local Agenda 21. More than 83 per cent. are committed to produce a strategy document, more than 40 per cent. by the end of 1996.

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