HC Deb 13 July 2001 vol 371 cc689-90W
Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to monitor(a) the role of Green Ministers and (b) integration of the environment and sustainable development; and if she will make a statement. [4003]

Mr. Meacher

As chair of the Cabinet Sub-Committee of Green Ministers, I will monitor the role of Green Ministers and integration of the environment and sustainable development. The Committee will report to ENV as necessary. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is a member of ENV.

Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs where responsibility lies for co-ordination of the role of Green Ministers; and if she will make a statement. [4002]

Mr. Meacher

As a Cabinet Sub-Committee the terms of reference for ENV(G) are set by the Prime Minister and it is for me to co-ordinate the role including a work programme.

Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what date a Green Minister was first appointed in her Department; when subsequent appointments were made; and if she will make a statement. [3974]

Mr. Meacher

I have been asked to answer this question on behalf of the Government. The Green Ministers Committee has undergone three phases since its inception. A Green Minister in every Government Department was first appointed following the 'This Common Inheritance' White Paper in 1990.

Following the recent establishment of the Green Ministers Committee as a Cabinet Sub-Committee, ENV(G), its membership is as follows:

  • Minister of State (Environment) Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Chair)
  • Solicitor-General
  • Financial Secretary, Treasury
  • Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
  • Minister of State (Rural Affairs), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
  • Minister of State, Scotland Office
  • Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry
  • Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport
  • Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office
  • Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for International Development
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Wales Office
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence
  • Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills.

Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will set out the terms of reference for the role of the Green Minister in(a) her own Department and (b) in other Departments; and if she will make a statement. [3985]

Mr. Meacher

In this Parliament the Green Ministers Committee has been reconstituted as the Cabinet Sub-Committee of Green Ministers, ENV(G). It is for the Prime Minister to set the terms of reference for Cabinet Committees. ENV(G)'s terms of reference are "to consider the impact on sustainable development of government policies; to improve the performance of Departments in contributing to sustainable development; and to report as necessary to ENV Committee".