HC Deb 05 April 1995 vol 257 cc1205-6W
Ms Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will name the green Minister for his Department and list(a) the green initiatives taken by that Minister in respect of the Department's functions, (b) the representations made by the Minister in respect of functions carried out by other Departments and (c) the input made by the Minister into consultations on the Environment Bill. [18654]

Mr. Baldry

I am the FCO green Minister for both the diplomatic and development wings.

I have set up an environmental management committee to produce a departmental action plan on green issues affecting the domestic arrangements of the FCO.

Through officials, I have been concerned with reaching an acceptable procedure with the Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Environment for trying to ensure that timber and timber products are purchased from sustainably managed sources.

I have also, through officials, been actively involved in the consultation process with other Government Departments about the Environment Bill.