Carbon Neutrality

Mr. Heald
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether his (a) official residence, (b) official car and (c) official trips to foreign countries are carbon neutral.

The Deputy Prime Minister
Since 1 April this year, all flights taken by central Government Ministers and civil servants on official business are being carbon off-set under a scheme being operated by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. For information relating to the environmental performance of my official car, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on Thursday 6 July 2006, Official Report, column 1299W. All travel is undertaken in accordance with the guidance ‘Travel by Ministers’ and the Government's sustainable transport policy.

Admiralty House forms an integral part of the Cabinet Office estate and is included in work currently being undertaken in partnership with the Carbon Trust to consider the improvement of energy management practices, identify likely areas for potential energy savings and provide the Cabinet Office with a systematic approach to managing the risks and opportunities associated with climate change.