HC Deb 02 July 2002 vol 388 c260W
Sue Doughty

To ask the Secretary of State of Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of(a)paper and (b) other goods purchased by her Department was recycled paper in each year since 1997; what the annual total cost of these purchases was; what plans there are to increase these proportions; and if she will make a statement. [65765]

Dr. Howells

All paper purchased for use in photocopiers, printers and Fax machines is recycled paper. Where the quality of the end product allows, all print orders also specify recycled paper is to be used. Paper is purchased as part of general stationery and that commodity before 2000–2001 was not recorded as a separate cost. In year 2000–2001 expenditure on paper was £27,450. In it 2001–2002 it was £29,363. The DCMS has in place, an Environmental Management System, one aspect of which is sustainable procurement, and central to which is the requirement for continuous improvement in environmental performance.