HC Deb 19 June 2000 vol 352 cc3-4W
Angela Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he plans to take to make schools safer for children with asthma. [125390]

Mr. Hill

The policies we are pursuing generally to improve air quality are set out in the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that we published in January. The Strategy sets objectives for driving down levels of the most common air pollutants. This is an important step in protecting health, particularly of those most vulnerable to air pollution, such as children with asthma.

My Department set up the School Travel Advisory Group in 1998 with colleagues in DfEE and DH, to advise on work to reduce car use, improve air quality and develop safer journeys to school.

In addition in October 1999 colleagues in DH and DfEE launched a National Healthy School Standard as part of the Government's Healthy Schools Programme. Many activities related to this programme will help make the school environment safer for children with asthma.