HC Deb 16 April 1996 vol 275 c361W
Ms Ruddock

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) if the promotion of sustainable development is one of his Department's objectives; [25335]

(2) what action his Department is taking to promote sustainable development. [25336]

Mr. Freeman

The objective of promoting sustainable development is an integral part of my Department's environmental strategy, which is supported by a comprehensive departmental action plan. The main elements of that plan are tomaximise the efficiency of energy usage; minimise wastage in the use of goods and products, and maximise recycling of waste materials; maximise procurement of goods and supplies which avoid dependence in their production on non-renewable resources or pollutant substances; and maximise the purchase of products based on recycled materials.