Mark Lazarowicz: Edinburgh North & Leith

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	Environmental Policies & Environment Direct
	Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her environmental priorities for the UK presidency of the European Union. [10114] Margaret Beckett (The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs): A key priority is climate change action, working with EU partners and internationally, prior to the Kyoto convention meeting in Montreal. Also, progress on the "REACH" chemicals regulation and the EU Sustainable Development Strategy. Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh, North and Leith) (Lab/Co-op): Most of us who want action on tackling climate change hope that agreement will be reached at Gleneagles, and recognise the work that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has done to put the issue on the agenda of that meeting. Whatever happens at Gleneagles, Britain clearly has the opportunity to set the tone for the EU for the next six months and beyond. Will my right hon. Friend confirm that it remains the British Government's view that environmental sustainability goes hand in hand with economic reform as one of the top priorities for the next six months, and there is no way that we should be required to choose between them when setting the direction of EU policy for our presidency and beyond? Margaret Beckett: I strongly share that view, as do the Government. That is a point of view and a track record that we strongly commend to the rest of the world. Whether we like it or not, many countries have significant energy needs and could have a significant impact on climate change, but they might be less prepared—or not prepared at all—to act if they thought that they would have to sacrifice the opportunity of developing or, indeed, of feeding their populations. We have to make it plain to them that they do not face that invidious choice, because they can do both. Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh, North and Leith) (Lab/Co-op): In passing, as my hon. Friend is talking about the UK sustainable development strategy, I hope that it is not only England that we make greener. Much of Scotland is green enough thanks to the generous rainfall, but it is important to emphasise that the strategy is a UK strategy, allowing for the devolved interest. Will my hon. Friend say a bit more about Environment Direct and how it will relate to the other initiatives that have been launched to encourage people to choose a more sustainable way forward in their personal lives? It is important that there should be as much publicity as possible of the various sources of information available and that they should be as clear as possible, to maximise the opportunity that exists. The Minister for Climate Change and the Environment (Mr. Elliot Morley): Environment Direct is linked with a range of Government strategies. I mentioned the "How to" guides, for example. There could be a link between Environment Direct and "How to". It will also link in with the £12 million budget that we have for a promotion later this year on climate change, what it means and what contribution individuals can make. Incidentally, that £12 million is not just for an advertising promotion, although that will be part of it because it is important; it will also be about funding local groups and trying to give some support at grass roots level to groups that are working in communities to promote energy reduction and insulation, and offer advice. The advantage of Environment Direct is that there will be information for people and consumers who want to make informed choices. For example, the latest washing machines and dishwashers use a fraction of the electricity and water used by those made not very long ago. In fact, they are now graded from A to F in relation to energy use. That is an important step forward in terms of consumer information. It has completely changed the white goods sector because no manufacturer wants to put anything on the market that has not got an A rating. People look for the A rating. There is even a new rating of A plus, which goes beyond the A rating. I am glad to say that the washing machine that I bought recently has that rating... Mark Lazarowicz : I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Minister for the information that he has provided. May I just clarify one point? Will the £12 million for the climate change programme be available for activities throughout the UK, or is it restricted to England or England and Wales? Mr. Morley : If my memory serves me right, I think that this is a UK programme—[Interruption.] Yes, I am pleased to say that my memory does serve me right.

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	7th July 2005, Cols 430-1 & 143-4WH