January 10, 2001 15:28: Orpington MP John Horam has called for the Government to set up an independent green watchdog to make sure it fulfils its environmental commitments.

The Tory chairman of the Commons Environmental Audit Committee criticised Downing Street for a lack of "coherent progress" on green issues and demanded steps should be taken to ensure the "goalposts dont move".

His announcement followed the publication of a report by the committee, which argued the House of Commons would benefit from an increased ability to hold the Government to account for its performance on environmental issues.

Proposals for an independent environment auditor have been included in a bill drafted by MPs, which would measure the Governments performance on issues such as pollution, genetically modified crop trials and targets for climate change reduction.

The bill comes as the Government has been under fire for failing to make the environment and protection of Britains countryside a priority.

Opposition MPs and green groups have been critical of the Governments record on genetically modified crops, saying not enough consideration had been given to its effect on biodiversity.

Mr Horam said: "The Government has set out some worthy aspirations and improved procedural arrangements, but there has been a lack of coherent progress on the ground floor.

"What we need are some clear auditable targets and some goalposts which dont move."

He added: "Parliament needs to strengthen its capacity to check the Governments performance against its targets.

"To do this properly, we need an environmental audit office just as the Public Accounts Committee has the National Audit Office."