§ Mr. HoramTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new policy proposals or significant changes in policy were produced in(a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04; how many of these were screened for their environmental impacts; and how many were the subject of separate environmental appraisals. [185100]
§ John HealeyChapter 7 of the 2003 and 2004 Budget books (HC 500 and HC 301) shows how budget measures sit alongside other policies as part of the Government's approach to the environmental elements of sustainable development and sets out the environmental impacts of measures introduced in recent314W Budgets that have a significant effect on the environment or which serve an environmental purpose (Tables 7.1 and 7.2)
A Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) is produced for all major Budget measures. From spring this year the RIA includes a requirement to consider environmental impacts.