§ Mr. Simon CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends formally to issue the guidance to the Environment Agency required under section 4 of the Environment Act 1995. [3171]
§ Mr. GummerA draft of the guidance which Ministers are required under section 4 of the Environment Act 1995 to give to the Environment Agency on its objectives, including the contribution it is to make towards the achievement of sustainable development, has been laid before the House for the required period of 40 sitting days. Together with my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, I am today formally issuing this guidance to the Environment Agency.
We are also formally issuing to the Environment Agency a management statement which summaries Ministers' aims and objectives for the agency, its duties, powers and responsibilities, and its relationship with Ministers, Government Departments and other bodies.
An explanatory document which restates the principles of sustainable development, provides non-statutory guidance on particular functions and offers a commentary on the agency's duty to take account of likely costs and benefits is also being provided to the agency.
602WCopies of these documents have been placed in the Library.