§ Sue DoughtyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of(a) paper and (b) other goods purchased by his 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 he will make a statement. [65769]
§ Ruth KellyThe Treasury in all cases purchases on a best value for money basis. Until recently the cost and quality of recycled paper did not provide this compared to virgin paper from sustainable sources and therefore only limited amounts were purchased.
Recycled paper appears to have improved in both quality and price. It is now the intention of the Department to look again at this issue. If recycled paper currently offers best value for money overall, Treasury will purchase this as the main source of its paper.