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Parliamentary Estate: Waste
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked the Chairman of Committees:
- Further to the Written Answer by Lord Tordoff on 18 December 2001 (WA 35), whether the total waste produced by the Parliamentary Estate was reduced in the year 2001–02.[HL1657]
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Brabazon of Tara): The total waste generated in 2001–02 was 1,279 tonnes, a reduction of 14.3 per cent compared with the figure for 2000–01 (1,493 tonnes).
Parliamentary Estate: Paper Recycling
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked the Chairman of Committees:
- Whether the House of Lords takes part in the paper recycling scheme run by BioRegional, which is in operation in the House of Commons; and, if so,
- whether the recycled product is available for use by Members of the Lords; and[HL1658]
Whether every office in the House of Lords has, or should have, facilities for recycling white paper and other paper.[HL1659]
The Chairman of Committees: All waste paper from the Parliamentary Estate can be recycled by means of the recycling bins in facilities rooms. In addition, a programme is now under way to install recycling bins in every office across the Estate.
The House purchases paper from various suppliers selected on the basis of value for money and reliability of service. Paper supplied to photocopiers and printers is 100 per cent recyclable. I understand that the House of Commons authorities purchase recycled paper that has been specified by BioRegional. However, waste paper from both Houses is recycled by other contractors.
Parliamentary Estate: Energy Consumption
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked the Chairman of Committees:
- What was the energy consumption of the Parliamentary Estate for the financial year 2001–02; whether there is a set target to reduce this consumption; and, if so, what are the targets for 2003–04 and 2004–05.[HL1660]
The Chairman of Committees: Energy consumption for 2001–02 was 53.5 million kW hr. The current works to modernise the main boiler and chiller plant in the Palace of Westminster will bring significant improvements in plant efficiency. When the commissioning data are available from the new equipment, targets for future consumption can be set.
Elected Regional Assemblies: Representations
Lord Smith of Leigh asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How they intend to judge the representations about whether English regions will be in the first round of referendums for elected regional assemblies.[HL1396]
Lord Evans of Temple Guiting: On 2 December the Government launched a soundings exercise on the level of interest in each English region (outside London) in holding a referendum about establishing an elected regional assembly. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is asking for views, information and evidence from people in each region, including local authorities, MPs, MEPs, regional chambers and others. Responses are requested by 3 March 2003.
My right honourable friend the Deputy Prime Minister will consider carefully all views, information and evidence put to him in response to the soundings exercise before deciding in which regions he considers that there is interest in holding a referendum. He will also take into account such published information as he thinks appropriate.
Brownfield Land Developments: Yorkshire
Lord Hardy of Wath asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is the area of brownfield land which has been developed in the county of South Yorkshire and in the Yorkshire region in 2002 and since 1997.[HL1511]
Lord Evans of Temple Guiting: Reliable regional figures are currently available for 1997 to 2000 only. These figures show that, in this time period, around 400 hectares of vacant and derelict land were developed in South Yorkshire. The total for the Government Office Region of Yorkshire and the Humber was around 1,200 hectares developed over the same period.
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