PART 1

Environmental governance
CHAPTER 1

Improving the natural environment

Policy statement on environmental principles

Policy statement on environmental principles: process
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1
The Secretary of State must prepare a draft of the policy statement on environmental principles.
2
The Secretary of State must consult such persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate in relation to the draft statement.
3
The Secretary of State must lay the draft statement before Parliament.
4
If before the end of the 21 day period—
a
either House of Parliament passes a resolution in respect of the draft statement, or
b
a committee of either House of Parliament, or a joint committee of both Houses, makes recommendations in respect of the draft statement,
the Secretary of State must produce a response and lay it before Parliament.
5
The Secretary of State must prepare and lay before Parliament the final statement, but not before—
a
if subsection (4) applies, the day on which the Secretary of State lays the response required by that subsection, or
b
otherwise, the end of the 21 day period.
6
The final statement has effect when it is laid before Parliament.
7
The Secretary of State must publish the statement when it comes into effect.
8
The “21 day period” is the period of 21 sitting days beginning with the first sitting day after the day on which the draft statement is laid under subsection (3).
9
“Sitting day” means a day on which both Houses of Parliament sit.
10
The requirements in subsections (1) and (2) may be met by the preparation of a draft statement, and consultation, before this section comes into force.
11
The Secretary of State may prepare a revised policy statement on environmental principles at any time (and subsections (1) to (9) apply in relation to any revised statement).