§ Sue DoughtyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the growth rate has been in environmentally sustainable economic activity in each year since 1997; [188164]
(2) if he will make a statement on (a) the performance of environmental investments funds as an indicator of the strength of environmentally sustainable economic activity and (b) the success of Government policies for promoting environmentally sustainable economic activity. [188165]
§ John HealeyThe Government are committed to developing and implementing policies that will simultaneously deliver social, economic and environmental progress. We do rot separately measure the growth rate in 'environmentally sustainable economic activity' but in 1999 we established a set of 15 headline indicators and a wider set of core indicators to provide a baseline against which progress on sustainable development could be measured. Economic, social and environmental indicators are included and are reported on in the "Achieving A Better Quality of Life" annual reports. The indicators are being reviewed as part of the review of the UK Sustainable Development Strategy.
1510WThe Government welcome innovation in investment products to meet the needs of their clients' preferences, of which environmental investment funds are one option.