HC Deb 21 January 2002 vol 378 cc633-4W
Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what procedures the Lord Chancellor's Department has to ensure environmental appraisals are undertaken prior to(a) administrative and (b) policy decisions being made. [29060]

Ms Rosie Winterton

No formal environmental appraisal process is in place for administrative decision making, but reference is made to the Department's Environmental Strategy, which addresses the environmental impact of the Department's operations. This specifically targets construction of new courts and office buildings, the maintenance of our diverse estate, energy efficiency and water management, procurement of goods and services; training and education of staff; waste management; and the impact of travel to and from our buildings.

Policy decisions are subject to environmental screening, and policy makers use the Cabinet Office's Policy Makers Checklist.

Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the last occasion was on which the Lord Chancellor requested an environmental appraisal before making a policy decision. [29059]

Ms Rosie Winterton

To date there have been no policy decisions that have required the Lord Chancellor to request an environmental appraisal.

Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many officials from the Lord Chancellor's Department have attended the Environmental Appraisal and Integration into Policy training course run by the Civil Service College. [29062]

Ms Rosie Winterton

As yet no officials from my Department have attended the Environmental Appraisal and Integration into Policy training course.

Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many environmental appraisals have been published by the Lord Chancellor's Department since 1 January 2001; and if she will list the last four. [29058]

Ms Rosie Winterton

There have been no environmental appraisals published by my Department since 1 January 2001. No environmental impacts were identified in any of the policies or programmes considered since that date.

Mr. Peter Ainsworth

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what plans the Lord Chancellor's Department has to appraise the environmental implications of its Spending Review submission to the Treasury. [29061]

Ms Rosie Winterton

My Department's spending review team is collaborating with our Energy and Environment Branch on the environmental implications of the spending review, and the production of a free-standing sustainable development report. They will be using the guidance provided by HM Treasury on the conduct of the review, including advice on sustainable development.