§ Mr. HoramTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister 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. [185096]
§ Keith HillThe number of consultations on new policy proposals were:
- (a) 2002–03–24 (only from 29 May 2002 when the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was established);
- (b) 2003–04–32.
All policy proposals are accompanied by a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) where applicable, and this assessment includes consideration of environmental impacts. From April 2004 the importance of the assessment of environmental impacts has been more strongly emphasised within the RIA process.