Rural Proofing Targets

HL Deb 15 May 2002 vol 635 c53WA

Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whiny on 25 April (WA 55), whether the phrase "in most Departments there is more to do" implies that any department has achieved its rural proofing targets; and, if so, which ones. [HL4138]

Lord Whitty

As I made clear in my earlier Answer to which the noble Baroness refers, the Countryside .Agency's report on the first year of rural proofing revealed that departments had made varying progress in putting in place the mechanisms required to deliver effective rural proofing of their policies. However, there is no question of targets for rural proofing being finally achieved by any department, since the policy requires that policy developments are reviewed on a continuing basis to ensure that proper account is taken of their impact on people living in rural areas.