To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will request from his officials a paper setting out the implications for the Treasury of a long-term shift in Government policy towards greater prominence to ecological sustainability. [40060]

The Government are already fully committed to achieving sustainable development. This means ensuring that policy decisions take appropriate account of the environment alongside economic and other considerations. Our 1994 sustainable development strategy assessed the many challenges facing the UK over the next 20 years if we are to achieve that goal. Progress to date is reported in the annual Environment White Papers, which are available in the House of Commons Library.