Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood has today been appointed to the House of Commons Environmental Audit Select Committee.

The Select Committee was first formed in 1997 and is appointed by the House of Commons to study how Government policies and programmes affect environmental protection and sustainable development.

House of Commons Select Committees are formed by MPs from all parties conducting investigations with the power to call witnesses such as Government Ministers and senior Whitehall Civil Servants.

Tobias Ellwood says:

"I am very pleased to have been appointed to the Environmental Audit Select Committee. I take a keen interest in environmental issues and I am looking forward to working on the committee.

I frequently receive letters from constituents worried about the changes taking place to our environment. In Bournemouth concerns over green belt development, flooding and recycling are becoming increasingly relevant.

The G8 Summit has focused attention on a number of issues including climate change. At our first meeting today it was agreed to focus on energy issues with particular reference to housing, transport and the environment."