HC Deb 25 February 1998 vol 307 c225W
Mr. Brake

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) on what date the Standing Committee on the Code of Practice on Conservation, Access and Recreation last met; how many times it has met; and what reports it has made on the operation of the code; [31005]

  1. (2) what plans he has to standardise the process of independent validation of conservation, access and recreation reports produced by the water industry; [31006]
  2. (3) what plans he has to review the Code of Practice on Conservation, Access and Recreation to take account of the Environment Act 1995. [31007]

Mr. Meacher

The Standing Committee has so far met seven times, the latest meeting being in November 1995. A report by the Standing Committee on the effectiveness of the Code of Practice was published in July 1993. Annual reports by the water companies on their conservation, access and recreation activities are considered by the Standing Committee, which includes representatives from the main conservation and sports bodies. There are no plans at present to change this process. The Code of Practice is currently being reviewed, with a view to producing a revised Code later this year.