§ Lord Davies of Coityasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they intend to respond to the Twentieth Report of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. [HL3554]
§ Lord WhittyWe have published our response to the Twentieth Report, on Transport and the Environment. Copies of the response have been laid before the House.
The Government's response to the Commission closely follows their recently published White Paper on Integrated Transport. The Government note the clear resonance between the themes emphasised in the White Paper and in this Royal Commission report and its predecessor, the Eighteenth Report. These include recognition that the consequences of future traffic growth are indeed unacceptable; the need to take action to secure more sustainable transport for the future; the need for integration, both within and between transport modes, and of transport policies with other policies; agreement that government should aim to provide the framework for all those with an interest in transport to play their part; the potential for technology to provide solutions through innovation, among other things, in fuel efficiency and emissions; and the need to encourage awareness of transport issues, and to send consistent signals such that we all work to further sustainable development objectives.
The Government have warmly welcomed the Royal Commission's reports, which have been influential in shaping the new mood for change, away from policies dominated by the short term and towards a more sustainable approach to transport policy that tackles both congestion and pollution. The Government look forward to developing this common ground as we all work to implement the new integrated transport policy.