§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many officials from her Department have attended the Environmental Appraisal and Integration into Policy training course run by the Civil Service College. [28998]
§ Mr. Wilson[holding answer 21 January 2002]: None.
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many environmental appraisals have been published by her Department since 1 January 2001; and if she will list the last four. [28994]
§ Mr. Wilson[holding answer 21 January 2002]: None.
The last four self-standing environmental appraisals published by DTI are as follows:
Enterprise, Skills and Innovation White Paper (February 2001)UK Coal Operating Aid Scheme (December 2000)Modernising the Framework of Utility Regulation (January and April 2000)The New Electricity Trading Arrangements (October 1999).
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what procedures her Department has to ensure environmental appraisals are undertaken prior to(a) administrative and (b) policy decisions being made. [28996]
§ Mr. Wilson[holding answer 21 January 2002]: DTI's aim is to mainstream the environment—within the wider context of promoting sustainable development—into the Department's operational management and policy-making.
To this end, DTI's Estates and Management Facilities Directorate run an Environmental Managements System accredited to ISO 14001 covering DTI's HQ buildings 1067W This incorporates monitoring, control and regular audits to ensure the continued effectiveness of the system and to track progress towards targets.
The effectiveness of DTI's procedures for environmental screening and appraisal of policies were reviewed last year by a member of the Foresight Environmental Appraisal Task Force and the Department's Internal Audit. Revised guidelines are being finalised which will be published on DTI's website.
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the last occasion was on which she requested an environmental appraisal before making a policy decision. [28995]
§ Mr. Wilson[holding answer 21 January 2002]: Where environmental considerations are relevant they form an integral part of policy advice to Ministers.