§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the ways in which his Department has demonstrated the ability to improve efficiency and competitiveness through an environmental audit of waste management within those buildings his Department occupies; and if he will make a statement. [16428]
§ Mr. BatesThe Cabinet Office, the agencies and the Central Office of Information play a full part in supporting the initiatives being carried forward in response to the 1990 White Paper, "This Common Inheritance", including membership of the Green Ministers' Group. Minimising waste is at the core of the Department's energy and environmental policy, which is supported by an action plan. The policy has proved effective during the first five years of the Government's campaign to reduce energy consumption and improve environmental performance; the Department has achieved its objective of meeting the Government's target of a 15 per cent. reduction in energy consumption to April 1996. The headquarters buildings in London recently received an award from Westminster city council for its contribution since 1992 to its recycling scheme.