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World Summit On Sustainable Development

Volume 406: debated on Wednesday 4 June 2003

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To ask the Secretary of State for Health which United Kingdom commitments arising from the World Summit on Sustainable Development (a) have been incorporated into the Department's existing delivery plan for Service Delivery Agreements and (b) will be incorporated in its delivery plan for Service Delivery Agreements in advance of the 2004 Spending Review. [113942]

[holding answer 22 May 2003]: The Government has made clear its commitment to implementing what was agreed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg. Details of those Departments with lead responsibility for taking this forward is available in the Library.The Department of Health does not have a lead responsibility in relation to WSSD. Although there is no major direct health interest, poor water quality and sanitation, for example, are recognised causes of ill health and disease. Therefore, we are continuing to work with other Government Departments to ensure that, where appropriate, health and health care issues are included in the effective delivery of the UK commitments made in Johannesburg.The Department is represented on the Government's new Sustainable Development Task Force announced by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in February 2003. The task force will play an important part in the review of the Government's Sustainable Development Strategy, which will take into account World Summit outcomes.