§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. [4533]
§ Mr. BowisThe appraisal of environmental issues is a key part of the processes of formulating, developing and implementing my Department's own policies and programmes. We also contribute to the Government's inter-departmental work on green issues, and are taking forward our areas of action as set out in "This Common Inheritance—the 1996 UK Annual Report".
The Department has an environmental policy statement and action plan which follows the principles of BS 7750 on environmental management systems. The aim is to promote cost effective action within the Department to comply with government commitments, legal requirements, approved technical standards and emerging best practice.
Progress made in improving the Department's environmental performance is published in the Department's working environment annual report.
57WThe Government's Green Paper, "Transport: the Way Forward", published in April 1996, sets out the ways in which the Department aims to promote the efficiency, competitiveness and environmental sustainability of transport in the UK.