§ Mr. Roger WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what remit relating to sustainable development is required by his Department's(a) executive agencies; (b) advisory non-departmental bodies; (c) executive non-departmental bodies; (d) tribunals; (e) public corporations and (f) other bodies. [116669]
§ Mr. Stephen TwiggThe Department for Education and Skills has no executive agencies. Our executive non-departmental public bodies were tasked, in a letter sent in October 2000, with ensuring that sustainable development is incorporated into their activities and operations. As an example, in the remit letter issued to the Learning and Skills Council in November 2000, there are clear strategic objectives relating to sustainable952W development. Otherwise, we have one small independent tribunal, whose administrative function is provided by the Department.
My Department is developing a sustainable development action plan for the education sector. It will seek a step change in the environmental operations of all publicly-funded educational establishments in England and in how people learn about sustainable development in all contexts. The Department itself will aim to become a model of best practice and would expect the same to apply to all of our associate bodies.