LETTER : Green future will enrich our lives

Sir: Reports that the Labour Government is to introduce a "green" Budget and that Tony Blair is urging individuals and institutions to change their lifestyles, five years after Rio, are welcome ("Blair gets serious on climate summit", 24 June). But the Government must put its own house in order.

Members of Parliament have for years been encouraged by the excessively generous mileage allowances and the anti-social hours of parliament business to take their cars into the Palace of Westminster. Spouses (and perhaps now partners) also have parking facilities there. In addition how many short journeys are made by government cars from departments dotted around London and indeed by journalists with privileged access to the House?

The Government could begin by restricting Labour Members' parking facilities, reviewing the mileage allowance between MPs' homes and London, and changing the parliamentary timetable, or failing that, laying on a "House" bus or taxi service late at night. MPs have got used to the idea that they are special cases; the Government should now set an example.

RUTH WINSTONE

Director

Centre for the Study of

Society and Politics

Kingston University

Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey