§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current energy consumption of his Department; what targets have been set to reduce this level; and what plans he has to include energy efficiency performance figures in his Department's annual report. [50087]
§ Mr. SpellarAnnual consumption of energy figures including those for MOD are reported by Departments to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions as part of the overall Government Energy Efficiency Campaign. A summary of the information provided by Departments is in the Library of the House.
The MOD target for energy savings is the same as that for the rest of the Government Estate and reflects current Government Policy, which is that 20 per cent. savings should be achieved by 31 March 2000 when measured against 1991 consumption as the base line. MOD has to date achieved an 18.6 per cent. reduction in Energy Expenditure 1996–97 relative to 1990–91.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he has introduced to discourage car use by his Department's employees. [50085]
§ Mr. SpellarThe use of public transport for commuting purposes is already encouraged by the availability of interest free loans to purchase season tickets and bicycles and the provision of cycle parking facilities. Departmental Travel Regulations require the most cost effective methods of transport to be used for official business. Measures to encourage greater use of public transport for duty travel as well as commuting to and from the work place are being considered during the preparation of the department's Green Transport Plans. The plans will draw on guidance issued by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions last Autumn.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of his Department's waste is recycled; and what targets he has set for increasing this percentage. [50095]
§ Mr. SpellarMy Department is committed to the development of waste minimisation programmes which include recycling schemes. However, owing to the local nature of these schemes, statistics on recycling are not held centrally. Target setting will be considered as work is taken forward in the context of the Government's model framework for Greening Government Operations.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what activities relating to his environmental responsibilities his green Minister has undertaken since being appointed. [50086]
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§ Mr. SpellarSince assuming responsibility for the development and promotion of Government environmental policy in my Department, I have attended the Green Ministers' fora and had bilateral discussions with my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment, covering a wide range of environmental issues. I have also given both oral and written evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee on my Department's management of its environmental responsibilities.
I have had several meetings with other Government Department Ministers to discuss a range of historical pollution and contamination problems at home and abroad. I have met a number of environmental groups to discuss their concerns in the context of the Strategic Defence Review.
I have chaired my Department's Ministerial Steering Group on the Environment and Energy Efficiency to consider how emerging Government policy initiatives on the environment are to be taken forward in the Ministry of Defence.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to raise awareness of environmental issues within his Department; and what training will be made available to staff. [50094]
§ Mr. SpellarEnvironmental policy matters are cascaded throughout the Department by means of a well developed environmental committee and focal point structure. Awareness of environmental issues and policy guidance is also promoted through regular updating of my Department's Environmental Manual and through internal publications such as "Sanctuary" which is devoted to conservation issues on the defence estate. In the case of energy use, an energy warden scheme has been put in place to provide information and practical advice on energy savings measures to departmental consumers. In addition, a programme of environmental protection training courses open to both Service and civilian personnel has been established. The purpose of the programme is both to raise awareness of environmental issues and to provide staff with the necessary competence to ensure compliance with environmental regulation.