Written question asked by Andy Reed (Labour) on Thursday, 10 February 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 February 2000. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Monday, 21 February 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he has taken to ensure that paper and timber products purchased by his Department come from a sustainable source.

Answer: Mr. Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to ensure that paper and timber products purchased by his Department come from a sustainable source. [110151] Yvette Cooper: The Department's Environmental Policy Statement and Environmental Strategy have been produced to ensure that sustainable development is a key factor in this Department's business. The Environmental Strategy supports the Department's aim to achieve best environmental practice with a commitment to conserve paper, wood and other resources and to purchase only timber products that come from sustainable sources. Environmental criteria are now contained as part of the specification in tendering contracts and include a requirement that paper and timber products are from sustainable sources.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 110151; 344 c778-9W
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Environment protection Government departments Paper Sustainable development Timber Department of Health Forest products Forest Stewardship Council