HC Deb 22 March 2004 vol 419 c623W
Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills in what ways environmentally sustainable procurement strategies within the Department have driven innovation in the design and supply of products. [159101]

Mr. Stephen Twigg

I refer to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs on 10 March 2004,Official Report, column 1543W.

Within the framework of this overall approach, my Department is contributing towards innovation through public procurement in a number of ways including: encouraging schools to adopt innovative procurement structures in relation to provision of school food; offering fair trade products for sale in all departmental restaurants; and achieving a 17 per cent. renewable energy supply.