Oral Answers to Questions

Diana Johnson Excerpts
Thursday 28th April 2011

(13 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Viscount Thurso Portrait John Thurso
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Parliament’s recycling target for office waste was set at 60% for 2010-11. The actual recycling rate achieved in the year was below target, at 49.2%, largely because of a significant reduction in the recorded amount of glass waste and, thus, in the proportion of total office waste recycled. The House is looking to recycle 75% of office waste by 2020-21.

Diana Johnson Portrait Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab)
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9. What the cost to the House of Commons Service of the rifle range on the parliamentary estate was in the latest year for which figures are available.

Viscount Thurso Portrait John Thurso
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The range is situated in the House of Lords, so there is no direct cost to the House of Commons other than in respect of that percentage of the estate which is paid for by the House of Commons.

Diana Johnson Portrait Diana Johnson
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Given the continued sniping about some of the family-friendly measures that have been introduced, such as the crèche, and the need for the House of Commons and the House of Lords to make cuts to their budgets, are we not shooting ourselves in the foot by continuing to pay for a rifle range in the House of Lords?

Viscount Thurso Portrait John Thurso
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I am most grateful to the hon. Lady for her attempt to brown the covey, but I suggest that she has to take a more targeted approach. This is a matter entirely for their lordships.