To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission, how often Portcullis House has been assessed for its (a) energy efficiency and (b) carbon emissions; what the trends in performance were; what plans the Commission has to assess Portcullis House in this way; and if he will make a statement. (134645)

Portcullis House is assessed on a regular basis both for energy efficiency and carbon emissions. There is a reducing trend for both as can be seen from the following table:

All electricity consumed on the parliamentary estate has come from renewable sources since 1 February 2007, therefore there will be no carbon emissions resulting from electricity consumption in future. This has contributed to the reduction in carbon emissions for the year 2006-07.

The Board of Management will consider again next month whether the House should seek to achieve ISO14001 and then eco-management and audit scheme accreditation (EMAS).