HC Deb 11 November 1999 vol 337 c807W
Mr. Chaytor

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the total number of vehicles used by his Department and its agencies fuelled by(a) petrol, (b) diesel and (c) liquid petroleum gas; and what plans he has to increase the rate of conversion of those vehicles to liquid petroleum gas. [98203]

Mr. Bayley

The Department has a fleet of 2,849 vehicles of which 506 are fuelled with petrol, 2,287 with diesel and 56 with liquid petroleum gas (LPG). There are currently 15 LPG cars on order and it is departmental policy to replace all 'pool cars' primarily operating in urban areas or other Air Quality Management Areas with diesel-fuelled LPG cars when they become due for replacement.

Mr. Chaytor

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to set targets for the recycling of waste(a) paper, (b) cardboard, (c) glass, (d) metal, (e) plastic and (f) other products created by his Department and its agencies; and if he will make a statement. [98229]

Mr. Bayley

The Department's approach to waste management should help us to achieve the Green Ministers' target for Government Departments of recovering a minimum of 40 per cent. of total office waste, with at least 25 per cent. of that recovery coming from recycling or composting, in 2000–01.

To date the following targets have been established: Recycling of "Confidential Waste" paper—target 100 per cent.—at present 75 per cent. is being achieved. Recycling of glass from spent fluorescent tubes—target 100 per cent.—which is being achieved. Plans are being developed to site bottle banks for both departmental and domestic glass recycling on DSS sites. Target—to site banks on 10 per cent. of sites within 12 months. Recycling facilities for metal waste from drink cans already exists at a number of sites. Target—to cover 10 per cent. of sites within 12 months. Targets for the recycling of carpets and of toner cartridges are being investigated.

In addition, an Environmental Management System (EMS) is being introduced at the large DSS site at Peel Park, Preston, and a further six sites have been identified for development of EMSs from next year.