PRIME MINISTER'S SPEECH ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Early day motion 418, tabled 8 March 2001 by Helen Clark (Labour). Signed by 39 members.

That this House welcomes the Prime Minister's speech on 6th March in which he made a personal commitment to attend the Rio + 10 conference in South Africa, pointed out the evidence of increasing and rapid climate change and its effects on the environment which are likely to be especially severe in some developing countries, stated his hope that the Kyoto targets for emissions reductions will have been ratified by the time of Rio + 10 and his recognition of the particular role that the UK can play in bringing together the parties to the ratification; particularly welcomes the Government's commitment to supporting green technologies for renewable energy until self sustaining markets can take over and the announcement of measures to improve marine conservation and fisheries policy at home and abroad, both of which are vital for sustainable development in the poorest parts of the world; and finally welcomes the announcement that the environment and sustainable development will henceforth be at the top of the Government's agenda.

Signatures by party: Labour 33, Labour/Co-operative 5, UUP 1.