GUILDFORD MP BACKS ENVIRONMENT MINISTER OVER JOHANNESBURG

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 13th Aug 2002

Commenting ahead of the World Summit for Sustainable Development at Johannesburg Sue Doughty, MP for Guildford and a member of the Commons Select Committee on Environmental Audit said:

"It is hard to know where the government stands on the Earth Summit these days. I have repeatedly called for Margaret Beckett to make a statement to the House on what was achieved in the preparatory meetings in Bali. But we will never know because she has not seen fit to turn up in the Commons to report to us.

"For too long the government's approach to the environment has been short term win and spin. What we have not had enough of is leadership. At a time when most people recognise the importance of the strong link between the environment and sustainable development in tackling global poverty, there is a terrible lack of agreement at cabinet level. It is essential that the UK not only sends its Environment minister, but that he is mandated to take a strong lead in tackling issues on our behalf. A flying visit by the Prime Minister is not enough for those countries at greatest risk of starvation and environmental disasters.

"The recent failure of the Home Energy Conservation Bill is typical of the government's lack of conviction. Having backed the Bill during its initial stages, Michael Meacher was then forced to table amendments that removed any financial commitment, because there was no support from the DTI and the DTR. This is typical of a government who will agree to anything as long as it costs nothing."