§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if an environmental appraisal was produced for the 'A Mayor and Assembly for London' White Paper. [42665]
§ Mr. RaynsfordOur Green Paper, "New Leadership for London" (Cm 3724), invited views on a range of proposals for an environmental role for the new Greater London Authority. Our White Paper, "A Mayor and Assembly for London" (Cm 3897), sets out our detailed proposals, taking into account consultation responses.
Under our proposals, the Greater London Authority will have extensive environmental responsibilities. It will be placed under a duty to promote the environmental, economic and social well being of Londoners. It will also be placed under a duty to promote sustainable development. The Mayor will also be placed under a duty to produce an air quality management strategic plan and an integrated municipal waste strategy for London, and to take action to promote efforts to reduce the impact of noise. The Mayor will have power to promote Local Agenda 21 and biodiversity within London. The Mayor will produce a report every four years on the state of the environment in London and, in consultation with the boroughs, will produce a further report every four years on the contribution made by London towards the Government's national programme for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.