§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when his Department's environmental programme was established; how many civil servants are devoted to supporting the programme; what achievements have been made to date by the programme; how many individual or business callers have contacted his Department's free advice environmental helpline since its inception; what proportion of inquirers have not received the assistance requested; and if he will publish the freefone number of the environmental helpline in theOfficial Report.
§ Mr. Redwood[holding answer 18 October 1990]: DTI's environmental programme was launched in May 1989. Forty-four officials are directly employed within the Department's environment unit to support the programme.
951WThe environment unit is involved in a wide range of activities to communicate with business about the implications of a wide range of environmental issues such as recycling, waste minimisation, CFCs, environmental labelling and environmental regulation whether domestic or international.
In recognition of the importance of technological development to meet the environmental challenge two new schemes—ETIS (environmental technology innovation scheme) and DEMOS (DTI environmental management options scheme) have recently been launched (ETIS in conjunction with the Department of the Environment).
The EUROENVIRON programme, a pan-European support programme launched in January, has generated 37 United Kingdom applications for consideration.
Since its introduction in May 1989 the DTI environmental helpline had received 6,221 calls up to 12 October 1990. In all cases inquirers have been helped as far as possible. Where appropriate inquirers have been directed to alternative sources of help. The number for the environmental helpline is 0800 585794. The helpline can also provide a range of DTI brochures on environmental issues.