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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he proposes to inform businesses of the benefits of implementing environment-friendly practices. [60482] Mr. Battle: The Department of Trade and Industry actively promotes to business the message that improved environmental performance enhances competitiveness. The main vehicle for this is the Environment Technology Best Practice Programme which is run in partnership with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. This programme produces high quality technical advice in relation to specific industrial sectors along with generic advice on issues such as waste minimisation. It also runs a Helpline which provides advice on environmental problems faced by business. This programme complements the work done--again in collaboration with DETR--by the Joint Environmental Markets Unit on promoting the capabilities of the UK Environment industry. Apart from the programme, advice is made available on specific issues arising from current or forthcoming legislation and policy initiatives: such as guidance on producer responsibility and recycling and on ozone depleting substances. Moreover, the Department works in partnership with national organisations in promoting the business case for environmental performance and funds, through the Government Offices in the regions, local events and projects to raise business awareness of the issues and the services offered by the Department.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

319 c885-6W; 60482

Session

1997-98

Subjects

Business Environment protection Waste management Joint Environmental Markets Unit Envirowise