§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 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. [4536]
§ Mr. StreeterMy Department's areas of policy responsibility do not have major environmental impact. Environmental efficiency initiatives therefore concentrate on our impact as a consumer. The Department continues to improve energy efficiency. Both the Department and the Court Service have signed the declaration of corporate commitment to energy efficiency. There is an ongoing programme to maintain, and where appropriate upgrade, the historic buildings on our estate. The design of new court buildings takes full account of environmental concerns, particularly by requiring designs to obtain a "very good" marking under the Building Research Establishment environmental assessment method. Energy audits and environmental assessments have been commissioned for over 70 of our largest court buildings. The procurement of goods and services takes all reasonable steps to maximise the use of recycled and renewable resources.
The Department is now looking to develop initiatives in other areas of green housekeeping, particularly through a pilot waste audit as a first step to setting waste reduction targets by the end of this year, and investigating extending our sensitive waste collection contracts to increase recycling.