Written question asked by Martyn Jones (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 February 1997. It was answered by Derek Spencer (Conservative) on Monday, 24 February 1997 on behalf of the Attorney General.

Attorney General

Question: If he will list the ways in which his Department has demonstrated the ability to improve efficiency and competitiveness through an environmental audit of waste management within those buildings his Department occupies.

Answer: Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the ways in which his Department has demonstrated the ability to improve efficiency and competitiveness through an environmental audit of waste management within those buildings his Department occupies; and if he will make a statement. [16422] The Solicitor General: The Law Officers' Departments and agencies keep waste management issues under constant review for the buildings they occupy, and have already taken steps to recycle waste, achieve greater energy efficiency and promote the use of environmentally friendly products. Specific waste management measures include the use of "green" bins for the majority of waste paper; the recycling of used toner cartridges and fluorescent tubes; and the dissemination of the Department of the Environment's Waste Guide to premises managers for implementation. Policies are inn place to undertake assessments of environmental performance, including waste management, on all new property acquisitions using BREEAM--the Building Research Establishment environmental assessment method--where it is appropriate to do so. Consideration is also being given to ways of applying the BREEAM approach to buildings currently occupied.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 16422; 291 c21-2W
Session: 1996-97
Subjects: Central government Buildings Competition Attorney General Government departments Waste management Environmental audit