DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (News Release ref :
217/07) issued by The Government News Network on 16 July 2007
Environment
Minister Phil Woolas today made the following statement to Parliament:
"My predecessor, Ian Pearson, announced the start of a
review of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP)
to the House on 27 November 2006 (col 80ws). Today, I am
publishing the report of this review.
"The review was part of a government recommendation that
public bodies are subjected to periodic study to ensure that they
are still delivering high quality services and are adequately
resourced. It was carried out by independent consultants, on
behalf of Defra, who gathered evidence from individuals and
organisations with an interest in the work of the RCEP.
"The report focused on the quality and impact of RCEP
studies, its working methods, management and level of resources.
It concluded that there is a continuing need for the functions of
the RCEP and put forward a number of options for its modernisation.
"The report does not constitute our policy position. Defra
will now examine the options proposed in the report in more detail
and explore their financial and organisational implications. Defra
will consult with other government departments, the devolved
administrations and the RCEP to formulate a government response
later in the year.
"Copies of the full report will be deposited in the
libraries of both Houses and an electronic copy can be downloaded
from the Defra website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/rcep/index.htm."
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