§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will outline the priorities for future action of the green Minister in his Department(a) over the next year and (b) over this Parliament; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ForthI have this responsibility in the Department: we will continue to pursue a number of initiatives relevant to environmental matters both during this year and for the rest of the parliamentary Session.
These will include the development of environmental education as a cross-curricular theme in schools, which will be reflected in in-service training.
Professor Toyne's expert committee on environmental education within further and higher education will report in the autumn, and we shall be considering how best its recommendations might be followed up. We shall also foster the development of energy efficiency initiatives in schools and colleges.
The Department's own accommodation and purchasing policies reflect its concern for green issues. A strategy is being prepared and will be in place at the end of the year. The Department continues to monitor the scope for recycling glass, paper and plastics and the reuse of cartridges for machinery replenishment.