HC Deb 18 July 2000 vol 354 cc136-7W
Mr. Gill

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the Quarry Products Association's proposed preferential scheme for aggregates from quarry operators meeting defined environmental criteria. [131092]

Ms Beverley Hughes

My hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning held a number of discussions with my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on the Quarry Products Association's proposals for a voluntary alternative to a levy on primary aggregates, including their scheme for preferential procurement of aggregate by the public sector.

Mr. Gill

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the green purchasing commitments set out in the document entitled, "Building a better quality of life—a strategy for more sustainable construction". [131093]

Ms Beverley Hughes

In "Building a better quality of life—a strategy for more sustainable construction", which I launched during National Construction Week this year, we recognised the Government's responsibilities, as the industry's leading client, to set an example in the sustainable procurement, maintenance and operation of its built assets.

On 10 July my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning launched the sustainability action plan of the Government Construction Clients' Panel—"Achieving sustainability in construction procurement". The plan's framework is based upon the 10 themes for action from "Building a better quality of life". It supports other cross-government initiatives such as "Achieving Excellence", sets milestones, and outlines a collective programme for implementation. The plan also commits Departments, agencies and NDPBs to assess their current situation, and develop their own action plans (or update existing plans). These would be in line with overall objectives, but specific to individual Departments' activities. The Local Government Task Force is developing a similar approach for local authorities to apply to their construction procurement.