§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many environmental appraisals have been published by his Department since 1 January 2001; and if he will list the last four. [29008]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 21 January 2002]: No environmental appraisals have been published by my Department since 1 January 2001.
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures his Department has to ensure environmental appraisals are undertaken prior to(a) administrative and (b) policy decisions being made. [29010]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 21 January 2002]: In taking important administrative and policy decisions environmental considerations are taken into account. For example:
Where relevant goods and services are procured, prospective suppliers are asked to include an assessment of the major environmental impacts of the contract, as part of the tendering and evaluation process; andBuilding Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methods (BREEAM) assessments are undertaken for new buildings and for the major refurbishment of existing buildings within the Department's estate;A section on environmental appraisals is included within the Department's Policy Checklist;The Ministerial website states that policy submissions should include a section 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.