House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee
The Environmental Audit Committee looks at the environmental impact of all government departments and non-departmental public bodies. Established in 1997 as part of the incoming Labour government's manifesto it audits performance against any sustainable development and environmental protection targets.
Unlike most select committees, the Committee’s remit cuts across government rather than focuses on the work of a particular government department. [1]
The current chair is Labour MP Huw Irranca-Davies, who was elected in June 2015. [2]
Contents
Fracking inquiry
In 2015 the committee heard evidence from the shale gas industry as part of its parliamentary inquiry into the environmental risks of fracking.
During its hearings Committee chair Joan Walley asked head of the new industry-funded Task Force on Shale Gas, Lord Chris Smith, if he would press the government to release an unredacted version of a report it released under Freedom of Information laws in mid-2014 into the impacts on rural communities. Lord Smith said he was committed to openness and would write to the government on the matter.
Fracking moratorium
Members of the EAC who voted for a moratorium on fracking for shale gas in January 2015:
- Labour’s Joan Walley, Martin Caton, Katy Clark, Mark Lazarowicz and Alan Whitehead, the Conservative Zac Goldsmith and the Green Party's Caroline Lucas [3]
Activities
In the 2005-2010 Parliament, the Committee’s programme included inquiries on climate change and environmental fiscal measures (‘green taxation’), as well as sustainable development and environmental protection. [4]
People
June 2015
Member Party
- Huw Irranca-Davies (Chair) Labour
- Peter Aldous Conservative
- Caroline Ansell Conservative
- Jo Churchill Conservative
- Zac Goldsmith Conservative
- Margaret Greenwood Labour
- Luke Hall Conservative
- Carolyn Harris Labour
- Peter Heaton-Jones Conservative
- Peter Lilley Conservative
- Caroline Lucas Green Party
- Holly Lynch Labour
- John McNally Scottish National Party
- Rebecca Pow Conservative
- Jeff Smith Labour
- Rory Stewart Conservative
- Mary Creagh Labour
- Geraint Davies Labour Co-op
2010-May 2015
Joan Walley MP was elected by the House to be the Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee on 9 June 2010. The remaining members were appointed to the Committee on 26 July 2010.
- Joan Walley (Chair) Labour
- Peter Aldous Conservative
- Richard Benyon (ex-officio) Conservative
- Neil Carmichael Conservative
- Martin Caton Labour
- Katy Clark Labour
- Zac Goldsmith Conservative
- Simon Kirby Conservative
- Mark Lazarowicz Labour/Co-operative
- Caroline Lucas Green
- Ian Murray Labour
- Sheryll Murray Conservative
- Caroline Nokes Conservative
- Mark Spencer Conservative
- Dr Alan Whitehead Labour
- Simon Wright Liberal Democrat
Resources
Notes
- ↑ House of Commons Select Committees Environmental Audit Committee - role
- ↑ Winning candidates for select committee Chairs announced, www.parliament.co.uk, 18 June 2015
- ↑ Full list of MPs available at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmhansrd/cm150126/debtext/150126-0002.htm Hansard], 27 January 2015
- ↑ House of Commons Select Committees Environmental Audit Committee - role
- ↑ House of Commons Select Committees, Environmental Audit Committee - membership, accessed 10 November 2010.
