HC Deb 03 April 1996 vol 275 c359W
Ms Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on progress in establishing an office waste minimisation strategy for his Department, indicating the targets set. [24514]

Mr. Roger Evans

At their meeting on 29 January 1996, green ministers agreed that the Department of the Environment would complete its waste measurement pilot scheme and by 31 March 1996 set realistic targets for future waste minimisation. Departments would use this information and the Department of the Environment's waste minimisation target figures to establish their own waste minimisation targets by the end of 1996.

Within the Department of Social Security, a pilot scheme is currently operating in selected Benefits Agency offices to examine a number of key environmental issues including waste minimisation. Findings will be reported later this year, when areas for improvement and targets for waste minimisation will be considered.