To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the ways in which Her Majesty's Government intend to work closely with the European Parliament in the coming months on environmental policy.

The Government already consult, brief and exchange views with Members of the European Parliament on a regular basis. However, to achieve the smooth passage of Environment Council business during the United Kingdom presidency in the second half of this year, we will be developing further our contacts with the European Parliament and its environment committee.