§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes he has made to his Department's practice in respect of environmental appraisals to reflect the recommendations contained in the Environmental Audit Committee's 5th report of Session 1999–2000, HC 341. [27517]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 16 January 2002]: A section on environmental appraisals is included within the Department's Policy Checklist, which staff have been commended to use by the Permanent Secretary. The ministerial website also states that policy submissions should include a paragraph on environmental considerations.
The Prison Service Management Board has agreed that all new policies and programmes should be subject to environmental screening and appraisal. This will apply to submissions to Ministers, papers to the Prison Service Management Board and Operational Policy Group and to business cases in respect of prison maintenance and construction work.