§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to 391W phase out the use of peat compost in gardens (a) owned and (b) tended by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [110726]
§ Mr. WillsMy Department's policy is based around the Model Improvement Programme for Greening Operations which DETR published in 1998, and includes a commitment to substitute the use of all slow renewables such as peat with organic wastes such as coir, manure, leaf mould and bark chippings. The Department's procurement policy reflects this commitment.