PART 1Environmental governance
CHAPTER 1Improving the natural environment
Policy statement on environmental principles
18Policy statement on environmental principles: process
(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.