HC Deb 28 May 1940 vol 361 cc417-9
Mr. Lyons

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will consider making compulsory the appointment of a salvage controller for every local authority area in order to deal with the collection and use of all articles of waste?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply (Mr. Harold Macmillan)

Twenty-two honorary district advisers, most of whom cover an area of several counties, were appointed by the Salvage Department of the Ministry of Supply in December, 1939, and have since been advising and assisting individual local authorities in their respective areas in regard to the collection and use of waste materials. Two or three additional appointments are in course of being made, which will complete the covering of all parts of England, Scotland and Wales. The salvage schemes of the individual local authorities are carried out under the direction of a responsible officer of the local authority, who in most cases is the officer responsible for the collection and disposal of refuse. The salvage of waste materials by local authorities has increased fully fourfold since December and is now at the rate of £1,500,000 per annum. If inaction by any local authority or other circumstances should render it expedient to take compulsory steps such as that suggested in the Question, my right hon. Friend will confer thereon with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.

Mr. Lyons

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether, notwithstanding the increase of which he has spoken, it is not the case that many householders in many parts of the country have no knowledge of the machinery which exists for this purpose; and will he take steps by means of publicity and otherwise to see that suitable arrangements are made, and force local authorities to bring the position to the notice of the householders concerned, who are ready and willing to help?

Mr. Macmillan

My right hon. Friend has this question under continual review and is taking all steps for the purpose my hon. and learned Friend has in mind.

Mr. Lyons

Will the hon. Gentleman see that the review comes to an end and action takes place at once—to-day if possible?

Mr. Macmillan

My right hon. Friend has a meeting this afternoon on this very question and is taking active steps in the matter.

Mr. Holdsworth

Will the Minister call the hon. and learned Member's attention to the fact that there is a private organisation which is also dealing very adequately with the collection of waste?

Mr. Reed

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in hundreds of thousands of cases, people are saving this stuff but cannot get it collected; and will some effort be made to ensure that the stuff is collected after it has been saved by the householder?

Sir Irving Albery

Is the Minister aware that a great deal of voluntary help could be obtained for this purpose, if it was organised?

Mr. Higgs

Is the Minister also aware that the elimination of waste is more important than the collection of waste material?

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