HC Deb 15 July 2002 vol 389 cc50-1W
Sue Doughty

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee (1) if she will state the total volume of paper purchased by the House in the last 12 months; what proportion of this comes from recycled sources; and what plans there are to increase this proportion: [65616]

(2) if she will state the (a) policy on and (b) total value and volume of the purchase and use of goods and materials from renewable or recycled sources by the House in the last 12 months; and what plans there are to (i) update the policy and (ii) increase the proportion of goods and materials used from such sources. [65617]

Mrs. Roe

The Administration Committee has oversight of the provisions of stationery for use by Members. The House's policy is to use recycled products where practicable and cost-effective; there are no plans to change the policy.

The House does not keep central records of paper used by the six House Departments; but we estimate that some 80,000 reams (200 tonnes) were used during 2001–02 at a cost of approximately £1.5 million. Over 50 per cent. of the paper used was recycled and chlorine-free. Within these figures, major users were the Vote Office (9,100 reams) and the Serjeant at Arms Department (45,000 reams).

The Serjeant at Arms Department has been providing recycled stationery to Members of Parliament for a number of years. All Members' stationery purchased through the House's central stationery contract (both paper and envelopes) is made from recycled paper. During 2001–02 approximately 162 tonnes of stationery were purchased at a cost of around £1 million. The amounts were:

Description Quantity Volume (tones)
Bespoke paper 115,000 47
Photocopier paper 130,000 75
Envelopes 6,500,00 40

1 Reams

In 1998, on the recommendation of the Committee, recycled paper was introduced for all letterhead paper and envelopes purchased by Members of Parliament. All virgin pulp papers were withdrawn. Recycled photocopier paper has been supplied for a number of years.

As part of the "local paper for London" scheme organised through the BioRegional Development Group, Evolve Business photocopier paper has been introduced. Members now use this paper in their parliamentary and constituency offices and in photocopiers on the parliamentary estate.

For information on the purchase and use of other goods and materials from renewable or recycled sources, I refer the hon. Member to replies given by the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood), representing the House of Commons Commission, to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Hazel Grove (Mr. Stunell) on 11 July 2002, Official Report, columns 1116–17W.