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Written question asked by Norman Lamb (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 26 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 2 December 2004. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Thursday, 2 December 2004 on behalf of the Treasury.


Treasury

Question
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list the refurbishment projects that (a) are in progress and (b) will start in the next six months; what action is being taken to ensure that these will procure timber from legal and sustainable sources; whether guidance will be issued to contractors on each of these projects to ensure that the timber used on site during refurbishment also comes from legal and sustainable sources. - Inc table.
Answer

Norman Lamb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the refurbishment projects that (a) are in progress and (b) will start in the next six months; what action is being taken to ensure that these will procure timber from legal and sustainable sources; whether guidance will be issued to contractors on each of these projects to ensure that the timber used on site during refurbishment also comes from legal and sustainable sources. [200724] Mr. Timms: HM Treasury has no current or planned refurbishment projects which involve the procurement of timber. The Inland Revenue, HM Customs and Excise and Valuation Office Agency outsourced works including refurbishments to a private company, Mapeley, in April 2001 under a 20-year contract. The Department's only current and planned refurbishment works are part of the Mapeley STEPS contract and are given as follows. Due to the size of the estate, works have been grouped rather than giving line by line property data. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Number of projects Current Roofs/windows doors 6 Lighting 2 Lifts 4 HVAC 12 Electrical and Mechanical 5 H and S works/security and statutory compliance 14 General building works 82 Internal re-decoration/floorings blinds 5 Total 130 Planned to commence during next six months Roofs/windows doors 18 Lighting 9 Lifts 7 HVAC 21 Electrical and Mechanical 8 H and S works/security and statutory compliance 14 General building works 54 Internal re-decoration/floorings blinds 35 Total 166 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. The STEPS contract requires Mapeley and all contractors used by them, to comply with various environmental requirements, specifically that they must ensure all procurement follows environmental procurement guidelines (PUG 177/97). Further to this they must ensure all wood is from an independently verified sustainable source and must support the Government's vision of sustainable development. Contractors are required by contract to use timber on site during refurbishment from legal and sustainable sources. Lifecycle plans for other departmental PFI contracts are currently being compiled, all such contracts are bound by the same government guidance.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
200724; 428 c201-2W;428 c202W
Session
2004-05
Subjects
Government departments Procurement Sustainable development Repairs and maintenance Timber Treasury
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk