Walk the walk on green issues, MP tells Government

12.00.00am GMT Wed 11th Feb 2004

Too much bureaucracy and five competing government departments are blocking progress on cleaning up the environment, according to Andrew Stunell MP, speaking in Parliament yesterday:

"They talk the talk but they don't walk the walk.

"The Government's green policies are in disarray. There needs to be serious joined up thinking between the various departments with fingers in the pot. With Environment, Transport, Trade and Industry and the Treasury departments all claiming major roles in developing environment policies, there are far too many cooks spoiling the broth.

"The Liberal Democrats would bring the Environment, Transport and Energy departments together and introduce a co-ordinating environment unit between all departments."

Mr Stunell challenged Environment Minister, Elliot Morley to focus on the cheapest and simplest way of protecting the environment - conserving energy and reducing waste - and to co-ordinate action across government.

ENDS