§ Mrs. RoeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what methods of measurements, and from what base lines, his Department employs in assessing the quality of life implications of policy proposals; and how these were selected. [55766]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 2 November 1998]: My Department uses a range of measures to assess policy proposals consistent with relevant guidance from HM Treasury and other Government departments. Assessments of risks, costs and benefits to businesses, the citizen and the environment are made, as appropriate, for each regulatory proposal. Policies such as that for the agri-environment schemes assess applications for environmental benefits. My Department is also developing a set of indicators to measure sustainable agriculture which include measuring its role in the rural economy.