HC Deb 28 April 2004 vol 420 cc1095-6W
Mrs. Calton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health on (1) what date his Department expects to implement in full the quick win targets set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ensure that(a) all copying paper bought by the Department is 100 per cent. recycled with a minimum of 75 per cent. post-consumer waste content and (b) all paper for printed publications bought by the Department is 60 per cent. recycled, of which a minimum is 75 per cent. post-consumer waste; and what measures he has put in place to ensure that the targets are met; [165446]

(2) what percentage of paper for printed publications used by the Department in 2002–03 was from recycled sources; and how much post-consumer waste this paper contained. [165447]

Ms Rosie Winterton

The Department procures all its printing needs, including the provision of paper, from its supplier roster. All of these providers are aware of the Government commitment to supply publications on recycled paper and the Department makes the supplier selection based on the most cost-effective quotation—as such the actual brand of recycled and environmentally friendly paper and its specifications is left to the printer. Therefore the Department is unable to make a detailed statement on the information requested.

The Department's standard copying paper is 100 per cent. recycled, using 80 per cent., post consumer waste. This exceeds the Quick Wins target of a minimum of 75 per cent., post consumer waste.

Forward to