§ Mr. Charles ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department currently offers NHS trusts and health authorities to ensure that they take into full account the environmental impact of new building projects. [4517]
§ Mr. Milburn[holding answer 19 June 1997]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply the Minister for London and Construction, my hon. Friend the Member for Greenwich and Woolwich (Mr. Raynsford), gave him today.
Policy on environmental issues is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, which produces guidance for local authorities to use when considering planning applications by NHS Trusts for new building projects. The Department of Health fully supports the Government's commitment to promoting policies to sustain the environment.
NHS Estates, an Executive Agency of the Department of Health, has issued "A strategic guide to environmental policy for General Managers and Chief Executives" and Health Facilities Note 11 "Environmental management in healthcare", with the aim of advising NHS trusts how to produce sound policies to reduce environmental damage. The Agency has also published reports on energy saving measures in hospitals.