(2) when he expects the Commission on Environmental Markets and Economic Performance to report; and what the reasons are for the delay in reporting.
The Commission for Environmental Markets and Economic Performance has met twice since 8 November 2006. The first meeting was on 19 December 2006 and the second on 5 March 2007. A final meeting is planned for 20 June 2007. In addition, Commission members have met informally on a number of occasions during this time, in workshops, meetings and other forums.
When the Commission was set up, the expectation was that it would report in spring 2007. The majority of its work will have been completed within this timetable, but we now anticipate that the final conclusions of the Commission will be available before the summer Parliamentary recess.
The main reason for this slight delay has been the challenge of finding convenient dates for meetings in members' busy diaries.