To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment is made (a) of the environmental impact and (b) against sustainable development criteria of bids made for (i) grants and (ii) contracts awarded by his Department; who makes such assessments; and whether these assessments are published. [116847]
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister gives grants to a variety of bodies for a variety of activities. Bids are made and assessed by officials against published criteria, which are drawn up to be compatible with the aims of sustainable development, and would include, where necessary, an environmental impact assessment. Assessments of grant bids by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are not published.Similarly, contracts awarded by this Office are compatible with the aims of sustainable development and in accordance with the Government's Sustainable Development Framework. Contracts let refer to our Greening Operations statement and seek evidence from suppliers concerning their environmental credentials. Assessments are made by officials in this Office and are not published on a project by project basis. However, our Greening Operations statement is published on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website.