Almost all the members of the committee agreed with the appraisal report on the NA's supervisory tasks this year. Some suggested a re-assessment of the supervision of previous elections to develop a more appropriate scrutiny programme.

When providing suggestions for next year's supervision programme, the majority of the committee asked for a specialised agenda on supervising the implementation of laws and policies on environmental protection in industrial and export processing zones, and craft villages. Environmental pollution is becoming an increasingly critical issue, prompting the concern of NA deputies. Despite the introduction of the Law on Environmental Protection, the environment was still being severely polluted.

Ha Van Hien, a member of the committee, said supervision focusing on the implementation of laws and policies on environmental protection would be more effective if the supervision was focused on specific areas. Environmental protection tasks currently cover too wide a range of areas and sectors, according to Hien.

Nguyen Van Thuan concurred, saying the NA should prioritise the supervision of other areas rather than environmental protection. He suggested scrutiny should be given to the implementation of laws and policies on investment and with a focus on foreign investment.

Many representatives expressed their concern about the committee's consideration on the supervision of norms in the implementation of policies and regulations in economic zones and border trade areas, and the 5-million-hectare afforestation programme. The supervision on the afforestation programme had failed to be effectively carried out by the NA's Nationalities Council, according to the Standing Committee members.

"It's time for the (NA Standing) committee to take this extremely seriously, as the programme is going to end," said chairman of the Nationalities Council Ksor Phuoc.

The committee adopted a resolution for the scrutiny of organising and implementing laws and policies on sending contracted labourers overseas. - VNS