§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the annual rate is at which his Department and its agencies renew their vehicle fleets, by(a) volume and percentage for each category of vehicle, (b) type of power unit and (c) type of fuel; and what progress has been made on the replacement of vehicles on a lower emissions basis in the last three years. [96558]
§ Mr. RammellReducing vehicle emissions is a key transport issue, which has been agreed as a priority across Government. Against a baseline year of 2002/03, all Departments are aiming by 31 March 2006 to reduce road transport vehicle carbon dioxide emissions by at least 10 per cent. and requiring at least 10 per cent. of all fleet cars to be alternatively fuelled. Progress against these targets will be reported in "Sustainable Development in Government" annual reports. The first full report against the Framework will be in 2003, reporting against the baseline year of 2002–03.
In UK the FCO has a rolling replacement programme to renew its fleet vehicles. Details are shown in the following table:
Our Agency, the Wilton Park Conference Centre, has three vehicles (two diesel and one petrol). Given the size of the fleet there is no formal replacement programme. Alternative fuel and lower emission options will be considered in future purchases.