Written question asked by James Duddridge (Conservative) on Monday, 21 July 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 October 2008. It was answered by Lord Khan of Tooting (Labour) on Monday, 6 October 2008 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Departmental Air Travel

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member for Horsham of 14 July 2008, Official Report, column 27W, on carbon emissions: Government departments, how much air mileage incurred through departmental travel was used to calculate the departmental payment to the Government Carbon Offsetting Fund in each year that her Department and its predecessors have participated in the fund, broken down by (a) domestic, (b) short haul and (c) long haul flights.

Answer: Communities and Local Government offsets its air travel through the Government Carbon Offsetting Fund. In 2006-07, Departments were only required to report on air travel broken down by short haul and long haul. In that year, the Department spent £2,730 to offset 275 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from its ministerial and official air travel in 2006-07.¹ This comprised 129,479 kilometres of short haul flights and 882,225 kilometres of long haul flights.2006-07 was the first year that the Department offset any of its emissions.Data from 2007-08 has been provided to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who will subsequently request payment for the Department's offsets, but figures and payment details are not yet finalised."¹ These figures do not include data from the Department's Executive agencies or the regional Government offices."

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 221976; 480 c298-9W
Session: 2007-08
Related items: Carbon Emissions: Government Departments
Monday, 14 July 2008
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Aviation Department for Communities and Local Government
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk