§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is the Government's policy that each government Department should give equal priority to promoting social progress, effective protection of the environment, the prudent use of natural resources and the maintenance of high and stable levels of growth in the second comprehensive spending review; how many times the Chairman of the Green Ministers Group has met the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to discuss integrating sustainable development in the second comprehensive spending review; how many of the draft public service agreements submitted to the Treasury explicitly refer to the promotion of sustainable development; and if he will make a statement. [119784]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithAt the start of the Spending Review last autumn, sustainable development was identified as a common issue for all Departments to take into account when drawing up their spending proposals. The Government's approach to sustainable development is set out in "A Better Quality of Life", published in May 1999.
148WThe Treasury asked that Green Ministers in Departments be closely involved in the preparation and conduct of Departmental contributions to the Review, to ensure that proper consideration is given to sustainable development issues. All Departments have now made their submissions, and the Treasury is assessing them to determine the extent to which further work is needed. Significant points are included in my Spending Review meetings with colleagues.
The Financial Secretary acts as the Green Minister for the Chancellor's departments and as such attends Green Ministers meetings with the Chairman of that Group.