THE Government has hit back at severe criticism of its record on transport with a promise to practice what it preaches, and turn Whitehall into 'Greenhall'. Environment minister Michael Meacher said they were showing business what could and needed to be done in all areas of green policy. 'It is not good enough for us simply to preach to others - the Government has to lead by example,' he said.

Meacher is chairman of the Green Ministers Committee which this week published its first annual report, highlighting a host of initiatives implemented by Government departments and agencies to adopt environmentally friendly transport plans. These include commitments to cut car travel, reduce workplace parking spaces at official buildings and buy low emission alternatively-fuelled vehicles.

Publication of the report coincided with a hostile review of the work of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions by the influential House of Commons Select Committee on Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs. The all-party committee pulled no punches: 'The Department's achievements have largely been confined to the publication of documents and policy statements and the establishment of task forces. As yet, there have been few tangible improvements. We are concerned about the lack of integration as yet between environmental and transport objectives.'