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Sustainable Development

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action relating to sustainable development is (a) required and (b) undertaken by her Department's (i) executive agencies, (ii) advisory non-departmental bodies, (iii) executive non-departmental bodies, (iv) tribunals, (v) public corporations and (vi) other bodies. [15180]

Caroline Flint: The Department monitors action relating to sustainable development in only two of its Agencies—the Medicines and Healthcare Products
 
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Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the National Health Service Purchasing and Supply Agency (NHS PASA). They are required to take actions set out in the United Kingdom sustainable development strategy, Securing the Future, and are required to meet the commitments set out in the framework for sustainable development on the Government estate, which is currently under review.

The remainder of the Department's bodies are required under the UK's sustainable development strategy to take appropriate actions to cover their operations and their policy. These agencies have their own reporting arrangements. However, sponsors of departmental agencies and other bodies are encouraged to adopt the Department's approach to sustainable development operations and targets, as set out in the framework for the Government estate.

NHS PASA consistently delivers on its actions, particularly around sustainable procurement and reports every year on its progress.

The Department's estate includes the MHRA's main building and as such controls their sustainable development activity along with its own. Progress is set out in the "Sustainable Development in Government" questionnaire, published by the Sustainable Development Commission.

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are identified as the most significant sustainable development impacts in relation to the operation of her Department's estate; and what steps have been taken to review arrangements for public reporting of such impacts. [15435]

Caroline Flint: The Department's estate consists mainly of administrative offices. The most significant sustainable development impacts are water and energy consumption, waste production, and travel.

The Department reports its sustainable development impacts on the departmental website, reviewing the data regularly to ensure they are relevant and up to date. These arrangements are kept under review.

Watermark Project

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether her Department has joined the Watermark project. [15463]

Caroline Flint: The Department was an early member of the Watermark scheme but is not currently a member.

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