HC Deb 19 June 1997 vol 296 cc259-60W
Mr. Charles Clarke

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance his Department currently offers to universities, colleges of higher education and further education corporations to ensure that they take into full account the environmental impact of new building projects. [4513]

Dr. Howells

Universities and colleges of further and higher education are autonomous, private sector bodies, responsible for the maintenance and development of their own estates. The Department does not issue any guidance to them about the environmental impact of new buildings. Of course, all buildings work must conform to the relevant planning and environmental health legislation.

Mr. Clarke

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance his Department currently offers to local education authorities to ensure that they take into full account the environmental impact of new building projects. [4514]

Mr. Byers

The Schools Environmental Assessment Methodology (SEAM) was published in 1996. It is intended to help designers of new schools—and major building projects at existing schools—to minimise the environmental impact of their designs and the materials they specify, and create school buildings which are in harmony with their surroundings.

SEAM also enables schools to monitor their own energy use and provides opportunities for pupils to learn about the environment.