§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [4526]
§ Mr. HoramInternally, the Department operates an effective energy and environment action plan which promotes all aspects of green housekeeping and which is regularly reviewed. Additionally, major energy audits of three of the main London buildings were recently undertaken and the majority of recommendations have already been implemented. Externally, contractors for building and office services are required to demonstrate their own environmental policies when invited to tender and their environmental performance is included in our assessment of their tenders.
Guidance to the national health service encourages it to engage in pro-environmental measures and to ensure that the environment is given thorough consideration in the development of policies at all levels. For example the NHS's old inefficient incinerators have been closed down 597W and replaced with fewer, modern installations which fully comply with the Environmental Protection Act 1990. As part of the target to reduce energy consumption and stabilise carbon dioxide emissions, the NHS has introduced some 200 combined heat and power installations to make more efficient use of fossil fuel, and one of these provided this Department's case study example in response to the United Kingdom round table on sustainable development.
In 1996, NHS Estates—an executive agency of the Department of Health—introduced an award for the "best environmental initiative" in its health care estate management awards.