§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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. [4531]
§ Mr. BurtThe policy for the use of the Department's resources ensures that full account is taken of the needs of the environment. For example
The DSS is a signatory to the corporate commitment to energy efficiency. Energy consumption for the estate is monitored and progress towards the Government targets are reported annually to the Department of Environment.All our new buildings and major refurbishments are audited for their environmental performance to obtain Building Research Establishment environmental assessment method (BREEAM) accreditation.The Department is a founder member of London's first clean air charter for fleet best practice. This commits the Department to improving the environmental performance of our official vehicles over the next three years.The Department's environmental initiatives and performance are promoted externally through our membership of organisations such as the Environment Council and through the Social Security report, published annually.