HC Deb 29 June 1998 vol 315 c91W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he plans to take to implement the Convention on Public Participation, Access to Information and Access to Justice. [47774]

Mr. Meacher

On behalf of the UK, I signed the UNECE Convention on Public Participation, Access to Information and Access to Justice on 25 June 1998. The Convention will become legally binding when we ratify it. We are developing our strategy on how best to implement the Convention and we will have the necessary measures in place before ratification.

Our consultation paper on a revised sustainable development strategy highlighted access to information and public participation as important for the achievement of sustainable development and we will be considering these issues further in light of the consultation responses.

The Government's proposals for a new Freedom of Information Act will also be an important measure for the implementation of the Convention.

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