Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution

The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution was established by Royal Warrant in February 1970. The original warrant appointed Sir Eric Ashby as the first Chairman, together with eight other Commissioners, for a three-year term of office. The Royal Warrant makes clear that the essential function of Commissioners is to inquire into topics within their terms of reference and the Commission is granted powers to obtain the information necessary to allow it to submit advice.

Separate Royal Warrants have been issued to appoint subsequent Commission Members and Chairmen. There are currently fourteen Members of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. The present Chairman is Sir Tom Blundell, who replaced Sir John Houghton in July 1998.

TEXT OF THE ROYAL WARRANT ESTABLISHING THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

ELIZABETH THE SECOND, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories QUEEN, head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, to

Our Trusty and Well-beloved Sir Eric Ashby, Knight; The Right Reverend Father in God William Launcelot Scott, Lord Bishop of Norwich; Our Trusty and Well-beloved Sir Solly Zuckerman, Member of the Order of Merit, Knight Commander of Our Most Honourable Order of the Bath; Sir John Winnifrith, Knight Commander of Our Most Honourable Order of the Bath; Aubrey Leland Oakes Buxton, Esquire, upon whom has been conferred the Decoration of the Military Cross; Wilfred Beckerman, Esquire; Frank Fraser Darling, Esquire; Neil Atkinson Iliff, Esquire; Vero Copner Wynne-Edwards, Esquire,

WHEREAS We have deemed it expedient that a Commission should forthwith issue, to advise on matters, both national and international, concerning the pollution of the environment; on the adequacy of research in this field; and the future possibilities of danger to the environment;

NOW KNOW YE that WE, reposing great trust and confidence in your knowledge and ability, have authorised and appointed, and do by these Presents authorise and appoint you the said Sir Eric Ashby (Chairman); William Launcelot Scott, Lord Bishop of Norwich; Sir Solly Zuckerman; Sir John Winnifrith; Aubrey Leland Oakes Buxton; Wilfred Beckerman; Frank Fraser Darling; Neil Atkinson Iliff; and Vero Copner Wynne-Edwards to be Our Commissioners for the purpose and with the powers following, that it to say, to enquire into any such matters referred to you by one of Our Secretaries of State or by one of Our Ministers, or any other such matters on which you yourselves shall deem it expedient to advise;

AND We do by these Presents authorise you, the said Commissioners, to hold office respectively for a term of three years commencing from the date of this, your appointment, and to be eligible for re-appointment on the expiry thereof:

AND We do by these Presents authorise you to sit as a whole or otherwise for the purpose of inquiring into such matters as the said Sir Eric Ashby may deem expedient to allocate to you:

AND for the better effecting the purposes of this Our Commission, We do by these Presents give and grant unto you full power to call before you such persons as you shall judge likely to afford you any information upon the subject of this Our Commission; to call for information in writing; and also to call for, have access to and examine all such books, documents, registers and records as may afford you the fullest information on the subject and to inquire of and concerning the premises by all other lawful ways and means whatsoever:

AND We do by these Presents authorise and empower you, or any of you, to visit and personally inspect such places as you may deem it expedient so to inspect for the more effectual carrying out of the purposes aforesaid:

AND We do by these Presents will and ordain that this Our Commission shall continue in full force and virtue, and that you, Our said Commissioners, may from time to time proceed in the execution thereof, and of every matter and thing therein contained, although the same be not continued from time to time by adjournment:

PROVIDED that, should you deem it expedient, the powers and privileges hereinbefore conferred on you shall belong to and may be exercised by, any four or more of you:

AND We do by these Presents authorise you or any four or more of you to report to Us your proceedings under this Our Commission from time to time if you judge it expedient so to do, so however that you do not disclose in any of your reports material which in your opinion relates to confidential industrial information or techniques.

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