51. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Supply whether he will give the names of those local authorities with populations of over 10,000 which so far have not organised a system for the regular collection of household waste; and what action he proposes to take to persuade them to do so?
Mr. MacmillanFollowing the issue of directions under the Defence Regulations, all local authorities with a population of over 10,000, except 10 who have only recently received the direction, have reported that systems have been organised for the regular collection of household salvage. The last part of the Question, therefore, does not arise.
Mr. De la Bè reIs not my hon. Friend aware that Tottenham made a splendid success of this waste collection, and cannot he urge still more strongly that it is absolutely vital in the national interest that every ounce of waste should be collected and made available for feeding-stuffs for cattle?
Mr. MacmillanWe are constantly urging local authorities to increase their efforts, which, however, do vary.
Mr. De la BèreBut would my hon. Friend bring pressure to bear on them? It is no good urging; we want to bring real pressure to bear on them
§ Mr. SimmondsDoes my hon. Friend's Department check to see whether the various local authorities do this work effectively and not merely nominally?
Mr. MacmillanThere is a monthly return of salvage collected which shows the amount collected per head of the population.
§ Mr. SimmondsDoes the Department take the matter up with local authorities if it is not satisfied that the work is being well done?