§ Paul HolmesTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment is made(a) of the environmental impact and (b) against sustainable development criteria of bids for grants awarded by his Department; who makes any such assessment; and whether these assessments are published. [119128]
§ Maria EagleAlthough the Department for Work and Pensions provides grants in-aid to certain third parties such as the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (OPRA), the Disability Rights Commission, Independent Living Fund and Motability, it does not issue grants which are open to the external bidding process other than those made to individual benefit recipients as part of social security provision. The specific nature of the Department's grants make it inappropriate to conduct any assessments of environmental impact or sustainable development criteria.