To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will take steps to reduce the number of hard copies of emails printed by officials in her Department. (179472)

Communities and Local Government's policy is to reduce paper consumption by encouraging our staff to:

only print e-mails and documents when absolutely necessary;

introduction of new multi-functional devices (MFD's) where print software automatically defaults to duplex printing and/or print more than one page per sheet;

use scrap or used paper in place of post it notes where practical; and

make greater use of computer applications for reviewing and commenting on draft documents.

This is facilitated by reducing paper filing space in our offices.

We are also investigating options to introduce a uniform e-mail tagline reminding mail recipients to only print e-mails and other documents when necessary.