HC Deb 29 June 1993 vol 227 cc445-6W
Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is his Department's policy on the purchase and use of(a) recycled paper, (b) low-energy light bulbs, (c) tropical hardwoods, (d) peat and (e) cars with catalytic converters.

Mr. Sproat

The Department of National Heritage has not yet finalised the formulation of its environmental policy. None the less, where possible we are practising the policy in anticipation of its formal introduction. The majority of the Department's staff have recently moved into a new central headquarters building and we have adopted the following practices with regard to the items mentioned:

  1. (a) Recycled paper—Recycled paper is used wherever possible. Our bulk supply of white A4 paper and our letterheaded paper arc all recycled.
  2. (b) Low-energy light bulbs—Low-energy light bulbs have been installed in the new headquarters building. Automatic presence detectors ensure that no lights are left on unnecessarily.
  3. (c) Tropical Hardwoods—No tropical hardwoods or woods from unreplenished forests have been used in fitting out the new headquarters.
  4. (d) Peat—Use of peat or similar substances is minimal at our headquaters building, as we have no grounds. A total volume of only 3,000 litres (approximately) of potting mixture is used for live plant displays within the offices and the compost used is a mixture containing part moss peat.
  5. (e) Cars—The Department does not purchase any cars and relies on the Government car service for its needs.

The Department has two agencies, the Historic Royal Palaces agency and the Royal Parks, which follow environmental guidelines for making the most efficient and economic use of the resources under their control. Recycled paper and low-energy light bulbs are used wherever possible. Tropical hardwoods are not used in furniture purchased by the agencies. English oak is used wherever possible for garden furniture at the royal palaces.

Both agencies are committed to reducing the use of peat by replacing it with alternative formulations wherever possible. The Historic Royal Palaces agency does not purchase any cars. From 1995 a new vehicle hire contract will require all royal parks and royal parks constabulary vehicles to be fitted with catalytic converters whenever possible.