§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 22 February 2000,Official Report, column 875W, on peat compost, what percentage of the compost used in his Department's estate gardens is peat; when use of peat compost will be phased out on his Department's estates; and if he will make a statement. [115237]
§ Mr. StrawNo central records are kept of the amount or percentage of peat used on the Department's estate. This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, the Department's Greening Operations Policy (published in 1998) and its Procurement Manual both state that peat free composts should be used and the current estimate is that if the Home Office makes any use of peat at all this is minimal.