§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if she will list the activities undertaken by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Denham), in his capacity as the Green Minister for Social Security since his appointment; [50032]
(2) what measures are being taken to raise awareness of sustainable environmental issues within her Department; and what specific training is available to staff; [50030]
(3) what percentage of her Department's waste is recycled at present; and what targets she has set for increasing recycling in the future. [50031]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 10 July 1998]: In my capacity as Green Minister I have attended meetings of Green Ministers and encouraged the initiative when many staff cycled to work on 10 June 1998. My priority this year has been the development of Green Commuting Plans within the Department. I launched this initiative on 17 February 1998 at a Departmental conference on Sustainable Development and "Greening the DSS". 21 senior representatives of the various Departmental Business Units attended that meeting.
Their commitment to the Green Agenda has led to further Departmental conferences for policy and operational senior and middle managers in all Departmental business units. Following these conferences the Department is committed to producing a minimum of 20 "Green Commuting Plans" to be introduced by March 1999 with the appointment of a similar number of local co-ordinators to ensure success.
In addition there is the commitment to education, training and motivating staff and contractors to work in an environmentally responsible manner and to play a full part in developing new ideas and initiatives. This includes communicating openly about environmental policies and best practice (including best available scientific advice) and co-operating with others in the public and private sectors at home and abroad to develop and promote environmentally sound policies.
A portfolio of relevant training courses is currently being compiled and as the Government's new sustainable development strategy is developed Green Ministers will be considering staff awareness alongside options for more formal training.
293WThe setting of targets for recycled waste in the Department was not previously an option because of the fragmented nature of its estate management. The appointment of PPM, the private sector consortium who provide building services including waste management, to the entire Departmental estate has now made this possible.
The Department's current guide "Green Guide", used locally throughout the estate, includes guidance on the recycling of paper, drinks cans, glass, plastic, print toner cartridges and batteries. There are contacts in each Business Unit/Agency for the promotion of green issues.
A benchmarking exercise to baseline current volumes and costs was completed earlier this year and the results are being used in the revision of the Departments "Green Guide" which is currently underway. PPM will work with the Department to implement its "Green" policies.