§ Mr. LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many road vehicles deployed in the NHS are fuelled by road fuel gases; and what plans he has to encourage the use of more such vehicles. [77916]
§ Mr. HuttonThe information requested is not available centrally.
Road vehicles deployed in the National Health Service satisfy a diverse range of requirements. Vehicle operators include ambulance services, NHS Supplies, fleet vehicles for staff (including medical/nursing and support services etc.), and contractors working on behalf of the NHS.
NHS transport/fleet officers do consider environmental aspects in the procurement and operation of the vehicles they manage. These decisions will be determined at local level taking into account availability of environmentally friendly road fuels and cost effectiveness in relation to the service to be provided.
This has been reinforced by the White Paper "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone" and the NHS is well aware of the need to take its requirements on board. NHS Estates (an executive agency of the Department) has also issued a "Healthy Transport Toolkit" to inform and commend green transport plans to the NHS. The Department intends to continue to encourage green transport initiatives within the NHS, including the use of environmentally friendly road fuels.