HC Deb 22 January 2002 vol 378 cc823-4W
Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many environmental appraisals have been published by her Department since 1 January 2001; and if she will list the last four. [29048]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

[holding answer 21 January 2002]: None.

Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when the last occasion was on which she requested an environmental appraisal before making a policy decision. [29049]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

[holding answer 21 January 2002]: The Department for Education and Skills has procedures in place to ensure that environmental appraisals take place when necessary. Examples of policy decisions which included appraisal of environmental impacts are: guidance to schools in England on energy and water management which Ministers aim to issue in spring 2002; obtaining accreditation in 2001 for environmental management of one of our headquarters sites to an international standard; and, in the school curriculum, the Growing Schools programme. This last initiative, launched in 2001, encourages teachers to use farming and growing to help pupils explore different aspects of sustainable development such as the effects of climate change, the life cycle of plants and animals, the values and traditions of rural communities, and the place of agriculture in today's economy.

Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what procedures her Department has to ensure environmental appraisals are undertaken prior to(a) administrative and (b) policy decisions being made. [29050]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

[holding answer 21 January 2002]: Administrative procedures are monitored by an inter-site facilities management working group. This is supported by our procurement policy, which includes guidance on including environmental considerations in whole-life purchasing decisions. On policy, our business planning process reminds policy officials to consider their policy impact on the environment in annual planning, which senior officials review at key points in the year.

Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans her Department has to appraise the environmental implications of its Spending Review submission to the Treasury.

Mr. Ivan Lewis

[holding answer 21 January 2002]: As part of this Department's Spending Review submission to the Treasury we will, in common with other Departments, report on the sustainable development impact of our bids, including any environmental impact.

Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many officials from her Department have attended the Environmental Appraisal and Integration into Policy training course run by the Civil Service College. [29052]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

[holding answer 21 January 2002]: No officials from my Department attended the first of these courses. The course will run three times a year, and has been brought to the attention of my officials. Officials learn about environmental issues through on the job training and written guidance, as well as formal courses by the Civil Service and other training providers.