Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Angela Smith and Theresa Villiers

Thursday 31st October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (LD)]

6. What plans she has to ensure the (a) transparency and (b) accountability of the proposed Office for Environmental Protection.

[The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Theresa Villiers)]

Clause 20(2) of the Environment Bill places a duty on the Office for Environmental Protection to

“have regard to the need to act…transparently.”

It must publish key documents, such as its strategy, annual report and accounts, and lay them before Parliament.

[Angela Smith]

The concept of the OEP has been touted by the Government as an independent watchdog, yet it will be funded by the Government and its chair will be appointed by the Government. Surely the Secretary of State will agree that at the very least the relevant Select Committee should play a key role in the appointment of the chair and the non-executive members of the board.

[Theresa Villiers]

I assure the hon. Lady that the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee and the Environmental Audit Committee will play a key role in the pre-appointment scrutiny of the OEP chairman. I also assure her that the OEP will have a multi-year funding settlement and that Ministers will be required to safeguard its independence. In many ways, the departmental structure will be broadly similar to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which has clearly demonstrated its total independence from the Government. I am sure we will see that same determination from this powerful new environmental watchdog.