§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the ways in which his Department has(a) demonstrated by example and (b) promoted externally, the ability to improve efficiency and competitiveness through environmental auditing; and if he will make a statement. [4530]
§ Mr. KynochThe Scottish Office has a responsibility for most aspects of the environment in Scotland, which figures as an important consideration in a wide range of Scottish policies and programmes. In these areas, a variety of procedures and processes is used to ensure that decisions are reached giving full weight to the commitments made in the White Papers "Sustainable Development: The UK Strategy", Cm 2246, 1994, and the environment White Paper "This Common Inheritance", Cm 1200, 1990. It is a fundamental objective of the Government to secure a prosperous economy for Scotland, building on and having regard for its considerable natural resources and heritage.
Within its own estate, the Scottish Office has initiated an environmental auditing procedure in accordance with ISO 14001 accreditation criteria at its largest building, Victoria Quay, in Edinburgh.
Environmental management procedures piloted at Victoria Quay have refined existing work practices. Further development of waste management and energy efficiency policies will, collectively, result in an overall improvement in environmental performance across the estate, providing additional economic and social benefits, while maintaining staff welfare and comfort.
The efficiency and effectiveness of business in Scotland is assisted through environmental audit consultancy services such as the European, Community econ-management and auditing scheme sponsored by the Department of the Environment and is promoted by Scottish Office staff through a regional network.
Promotion of the economic benefits to come from environmental auditing and related processes is a matter largely for the enterprise network of Scottish Enterprise, 590W Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the local enterprise companies. For example, the Scottish Office has worked with Scottish Natural Heritage, a number of local enterprise companies and enterprise trusts and KPMG to sponsor the centre for environment and business in Scotland to produce a catalogue of case studies of good environmental management in companies of all types and sizes.
The environmental technology best practice programme run in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry concentrates on waste minimisation and cost-effective cleaner technology providing services direct to business. The energy efficiency best practice programme, part of the Government effort to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, has enabled companies in Scotland, as elsewhere, to reduce their emissions while at the same time making substantial reductions in their energy costs. The Clyde waste minimisation project run by the Glasgow development agency with Dunbartonshire Enterprise, Renfrewshire Enterprise and Enterprise Ayrshire, is another example which has enabled a range of companies to reduce their costs while at the same time bringing benefits to the environment.