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To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that Environmental, Social and Governance frameworks prevent the displacement of emissions to unregulated regions.

Asked by

Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

8 April 2026

Reference

HL16003

House

House of Lords

Business: Carbon Emissions

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of corporate Environmental, Social and Governance targets in reducing global emissions.

Asked by

Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

8 April 2026

Reference

HL16002

House

House of Lords

Environment Bill. Committee stage eleventh sitting (morning).

Clauses 24 and 25 agreed to. Clause 27 agreed to as amended. Clauses 27 to 31 agreed to. Clauses 32 and 33 agreed to as amended. Clause 35 agreed to. Clause 36 agreed to as amended. Committee adjourned. Written evidence reported to the House.

Lead member

Leo Docherty

Answering member

Lord Whitehead; Ruth Jones

Department

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Debates on bills; Public Bill Committee proceedings

Committee

Environment Bill Committee

Date

5 November 2020

House

House of Commons

Environment Bill. Committee stage first sitting (morning).

Programme motion agreed to. Motion to sit in private agreed to. Written evidence motion agreed to. Examination of witnesses.

Lead member

Rebecca Pow

Answering member

Lord Whitehead

Department

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Debates on bills; Public Bill Committee proceedings

Committee

Environment Bill Committee

Date

10 March 2020

House

House of Commons

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the arrangements for internal and external auditing of local councils.

Asked by

John Bercow (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

22 May 2002

Reference

57651; 386 c338W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what the (a) names and (b) responsibilities are of parliamentary advisers appointed to serve his Department. - Ministers in this Department have made no such appointments.

Asked by

Lord Beith (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

22 May 2002

Reference

56985; 386 c345W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the mandate of the Standing Committee on the Approximation of the Laws Relating to Construction Products is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost...

Asked by

John Bercow (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

8 May 2002

For answer on

21 May 2002

Answered on

21 May 2002

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the mandate of the Standing Committee on the Approximation of the Laws Relating to Construction Products is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [55367] Dr. Whitehead: I have been asked to reply. The mandate of the Standing Committee on Construction (SCC) is to remove technical barriers to trade in construction products between member states in the European Economic Area (EEA). It has met three times in the last 12 months. The UK delegation to it consists of two Government officials from my Department and a representative from the UK construction industry. The costs for the attendance by the two Government officials to the two-day meetings in Brussels are approximately £3,000. The committee has an extensive work programme for the year 2002 to progress the internal market for construction products through CE marking. Among the items under consideration are: Implementation of the CPD through agreeing technical specifications, notified bodies to carry out attestation procedures and market surveillance. Enlargement including PECA-CPD implementation. Competitiveness related issues. Eurocodes. Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission". As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February (Commission Document 5685/02). As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

Date

21 May 2002

Reference

55367; 386 c245-6W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the mandate of the Committee for the Adaptation to Technical Progress of the Directive on the Removal of Technical Barriers to Trade in Explosives for Civilian Uses is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months;...

Asked by

John Bercow (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

8 May 2002

For answer on

21 May 2002

Answered on

21 May 2002

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the mandate of the Committee for the Adaptation to Technical Progress of the Directive on the Removal of Technical Barriers to Trade in Explosives for Civilian Uses is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [55378] Dr. Whitehead: I have been asked to reply. The remit of this committee is set out in Article 13 of Council Directive 93/15/EEC (harmonization of the provisions relating to the placing on the market and supervision of explosives for civil uses). This says that: "The Committee shall examine any matter concerning the application of this Directive raised by its chairman either on his own initiative or at the request of a representative of a member state." The Committee has met once in the last 12 months, in December 2001. The UK representatives at the meeting were the Health and Safety Executive's Head of Mines, Quarries and Explosives Safety Policy Section and the Head of the GB Explosives Notified Body. The secretariat is provided by the European Commission, which also pays a proportion of travel expenses. The costs to UK public funds are therefore the balance of the travel costs and the accommodation costs for the staff attending (less than £830 in total) and their salary costs. The Committee is currently considering a number of issues where there are differing interpretations of the application of the Directive. These include the on-site mixing of explosives, the definition of pyrotechnics and the acceptability of manufacturer's test data. HSE would seek to ensure that there was consultation on any proposals to amend the requirements of the Directive. Any changes which required new regulations, or amendments to regulations, would be subject to formal consultation and then approval by the Health and Safety Commission and by Ministers. The draft regulations would ultimately be laid before Parliament.

Date

21 May 2002

Reference

55378; 386 c244W;386 c243-4W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the mandate of the Standing Committee for implementation of the Directive on the marketing of biocidal products is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what...

Asked by

John Bercow (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

13 May 2002

For answer on

21 May 2002

Answered on

21 May 2002

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Standing Committee for implementation of the Directive on the marketing of biocidal products is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [56822] Dr. Whitehead: I have been asked to reply. The Standing Committee on Biocidal Products (SCBP) has several functions specified in Directive 98/8/EC, including delivering opinions to the Commission on adoption of regulations governing the review of active substances; the inclusion of active substances in Annex I of the Directive; the mutual recognition of biocidal products across member states; the temporary authorisation of products in emergency situations; common conditions and minimum data requirements for authorisations for Research and Development purposes; and public disclosure and confidentiality of information. The first meeting of the SCBP took place on 18 May 2000. This has been its only meeting to date. There are no items currently under consideration by the SCBP. The UK representation at such meetings would depend on the subject(s) under consideration, and would normally consist of officials of the Health and Safety Executive. The draft rules prescribe that the Commission will cover the expenses of one representative per member state, and so the cost to UK public funds is minimal. Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1994/468/EC, to "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission". As an obligation to this decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of the House on 26 February 2002 (Com (2001) 783 Final. As part of the review process, the UK Government has encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

Date

21 May 2002

Reference

56822; 386 c186-7W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the mandate of the Advisory Committee on training in architecture is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is...

Asked by

John Bercow (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

13 May 2002

For answer on

21 May 2002

Answered on

21 May 2002

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Advisory Committee on training in architecture is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [56761] Dr. Whitehead: I have been asked to reply. The mandate of the Advisory Committee on Training and Education in the Field of Architecture (ACETA) is to help to ensure a comparably high standard of education and training for architects throughout the Community and permit free movement of people and provision of services as Single Market objectives. It has met once in the last 12 months. The UK Delegation consists of one Government Official from my Department, the chief executive of the Architects Registration Board, two representatives from the architectural profession, and two representatives from schools of architecture. The costs for the attendance by the Government Official to the one day meeting in Brussels are approximately £500. The Committee has recently considered the compliance of university courses on architecture in member states with Directive 85/384/EEC, and in particular a number of Spanish diplomas. Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission". As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February (Commission Document 5685-02). As part of the review process, the UK Government has encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

Date

21 May 2002

Reference

56761; 386 c187W;386 c187-8W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the mandate of the Committee on the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances (Seveso II) is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what...

Asked by

John Bercow (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

13 May 2002

For answer on

21 May 2002

Answered on

21 May 2002

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Committee on the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances (Seveso II) is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [56808] Dr. Whitehead: The European Commission has established a Committee of Competent Authorities (CCA) for the Seveso Directive under Article 19 of the Directive. The mandate of the CCA is to promote coherent implementation and consistent application of the provision of the Directive throughout the Community. This necessitates close co-operation of the competent authorities of all member states and the European Commission. the CCA consists of representatives of the member states and the Commission services. It discusses issues concerning the implementation of the Seveso II Directive. The committee meets twice a year and is attended on behalf of the UK by representatives of the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency. Where appropriate officials from other relevant Departments also attend. It is estimated that the annual cost to public funds in the UK is approximately £3,000. Recent meetings of the CCA have considered the role of the European Commission's major accident hazards bureau, implementation issues of the Seveso Directive in member states, land use planning issues around major hazard installations and relevant research. The comitology committee provided for by Article 22 of the Seveso Directive on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances has not met over the last 12 months.

Date

21 May 2002

Reference

56808; 386 c187-8W;386 c188W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the mandate of the Committee for the adaptation to technical progress and for the implementation of the Directive on contained use of genetically-modified micro-organisms is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what...

Asked by

John Bercow (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

13 May 2002

For answer on

21 May 2002

Answered on

21 May 2002

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Committee for the adaptation to technical progress and for the implementation of the Directive on contained use of genetically-modified micro-organisms is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [56820] Dr. Whitehead: I have been asked to reply. The Committee for adaptation to technical progress and implementation of the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms (GMMs) Directive (90/219/ EEC as amended by 98/81/EC) is mandated to consider information on the techniques and methods of genetic modification excluded from the Directive; elements to be considered and procedures to be followed in the assessment of the harmful effects of GMMs; containment and other protective measures required; requirements for notification to the Competent Authorities on premises and activities where GMMs are being used; and the types of GMMs considered to be safe to human health and the environment. This committee consists of representatives from all member states and the European Commission. Officials from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) attend on behalf of the UK. This committee meets on an ad hoc basis. There have been no meetings in the last year, and no meetings are timetabled for the immediate future. Considerable effort has already taken place in developing the technical information underpinning this Directive. The secretariat to the committee would be provided by the European Commission, which provides interpreting services etc. The European Commission would also pay the travel expenses of the UK representatives. Any potential costs to UK public funds would therefore consist largely of the accommodation costs for the staff attending meetings and their salary costs. If any changes to the Directive were proposed, HSE would seek advice from the Health and Safety Commission's tripartite Advisory Committee on Genetic Modification (ACGM). Agendas and papers for ACGM meetings are fully available to the public. Also, together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC to "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission". As an obligation to this decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February 2002 (Com (2001) 783 Final). As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agenda and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

Date

21 May 2002

Reference

56820; 386 c189-90W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what the mandate of the Technical Adaptation Committee on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months;...

Asked by

John Bercow (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

8 May 2002

For answer on

15 May 2002

Answered on

15 May 2002

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the Technical Adaptation Committee on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [55228] Dr. Whitehead: European Council Directive 89/391/EEC makes provision for committees to work on "the purely technical adjustments to the individual directives provided for in Article 16 (1) to take account of: the adoption of directives in the field of technical harmonization and standardization, and/or technical progress, changes in international regulations or specifications, and new findings . . ." The UK representatives at such meetings would be drawn from staff with the relevant technical and policy responsibilities within the Health and Safety Executive. During the last 12 months they have received no invitations to such technical meetings; nor are any currently scheduled. Together with member states, the European Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission". As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of the House on 26 February (Commission Document 5685-02). As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

Date

15 May 2002

Reference

55228; 385 c668-9W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the mandate of the Restricted Committee of the Safety and Health Commission for the Mining and other extractive industries is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what...

Asked by

John Bercow (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

8 May 2002

For answer on

14 May 2002

Answered on

14 May 2002

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the mandate of the Restricted Committee of the Safety and Health Commission for the Mining and other extractive industries is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [55240] Dr. Whitehead: I have been asked to reply. The Restricted Committee of the Safety and Health Commission for the Mining and Other Extractive Industries (SCHMOEI) is a committee comprising representatives from the governments of the member states of the European Union which meets immediately prior to the full meetings of the main committee. Its role is to prepare the meetings of the main committee which is a tripartite body. SCHMOEI's terms of reference include: following the developments regarding health and safety in coalmines and other extractive industries especially in matters of accident prevention; advising on the issues involved in compiling comparable accident statistics; facilitating the exchange of information and experience among persons responsible for health and safety matters; proposing appropriate measures for ensuring the necessary liaison among the rescue services of the Community countries. The UK members of the restricted committee are the Health and Safety Executive's Chief Inspector of Mines and the Head of Division with responsibility for safety policy for mining and other extractive industries. The committee meets twice a year. The secretariat is provided by the European Commission, which provides interpreting services etc. The European Commission also pays the travel expenses of the representatives. The costs to UK public funds are therefore the accommodation costs for the staff attending meetings (less than £1000 per year) and their salary costs. SCHMOEI publishes an annual report. As a tripartite body its meetings are open to representatives of employers and employees. The European Commission has published proposals to merge SCHMOEI with the main Advisory Committee on Safety and Health.

Date

14 May 2002

Reference

55240; 385 c526-7W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will list additional statutory obligations placed upon local authorities by the Government in each of the past five years. - Inc list.

Asked by

Lord Grayling (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

27 February 2002

For answer on

25 March 2002

Answered on

25 March 2002

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list additional statutory obligations placed upon local authorities by the Government in each of the past five years. [40215] Dr. Whitehead: The information for all Departments is not held centrally. The main new duties placed on local authorities by my Department in the last five years include: Local Government Act 1999 Duty of best value to make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way in which they exercise their functions, having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness. Greater London Authority Act 1999 Duty on London borough councils and the common council of the City of London to have regard to the Mayor's transport strategy, municipal waste management strategy and London air quality strategy; and to consult the Mayor on their unitary development plan to ensure it is in general conformity with the Mayor's spatial development strategy. Local Government Act 2000 Duty to consult, draw up proposals and implement new executive arrangements. Duty to hold a referendum on a directly elected mayor if their proposals involve a form of executive which includes a directly elected mayor, where a valid petition is submitted or the Secretary of State directs the authority. Duty to appoint an overview and scrutiny committee. Duty to prepare a community strategy. Duty to adopt a code of conduct within six months of the new model code coming into force. Duty to establish a standards committee. Duty to set up an independent remuneration panel to advise on their allowance scheme. Transport Act 2000 Duty to prepare and keep under review a local transport plan, which includes a bus strategy, for their area. Duty to offer disabled residents and elderly people of state pension age a free pass entitling them to half fares on local bus services. Representation of the People Act 2001 and Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 Various duties, or changes to duties, in relation to local, parliamentary, and European parliamentary elections, including the registration of electors and the conduct of elections in their areas. Homelessness Act 2002 Stronger duties to accommodate and assist homeless people. Duty on housing authorities to adopt a homelessness strategy every five years based on a homelessness review, and a duty on social services to co-operate in this on request. Duty on housing departments to co-operate with social services when dealing with homeless families with children.

Date

25 March 2002

Reference

40215; 382 c653-4W;382 c651-2W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, what percentage of (a) large and (b) small NDPBs are subject to scrutiny by the Audit Commission.

Asked by

Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

30 January 2002

Reference

30472; 379 c326W;379 c322W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Transport Local Government and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will extend the remit of the Local Government Ombudsman to cover parish and town councils.

Asked by

Tom Levitt (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

24 October 2001

Reference

9251; 373 c233W

House

House of Commons

Librarians' tools

Type

House

Session

Year

Department

Member

Primary member

Answering member

Legislative stage

Legislation

Subject

Publisher