§ 38. Mr. Bill MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his Department's document, "Sustainable Distribution: A Strategy". [78853]
§ Dr. ReidOur document, published on 2 March 1999, is the first of its kind. It takes a strategic look at the entire distribution industry of the United Kingdom and considers not only the role it plays today but its potential for the future. We intend to work in partnership with industry to ensure that our entire distribution network provides an efficient and competitive world class service
that it operates in a fair and open market, not only in the UK but abroad;that it is fully integrated in our transport and planning policies, both at national and local government levels; with road, rail, air and shipping being used to their best advantages on a system of infrastructure which is itself integrated and;that it operates in a manner which meets our environmental and social objectives to minimise pollution, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to manage development pressures on the landscape, to reduce noise and disturbance and to reduce the number of accidents and injuries.