§ 63. Sir William Davisonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he is aware that large quantities of waste paper are still being lost or destroyed and that, in many local authorities' schemes for the collection of waste paper, steps are not taken to see that the paper is kept clean and away from household dust; and whether the Government will circularise local authorities again on this important matter, in view of the probable shortage of the raw material for paper in the near future?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply (Mr. Harold Macmillan)The majority of local authorities take steps to keep clean and separate from refuse all waste paper put out separately. The necessity for this has been repeatedly urged on all local authorities, and special reference to it was made in a circular letter issued on 25th June.
§ Sir W. DavisonIs my hon. Friend aware that it is estimated that a reasonable standard of recovery of waste paper is one ton per 1,000 of the population, and that while this figure is reached by a large number of local authorities, the great majority are not approaching it? Will my hon. Friend look into it again, as it is a matter of great importance in view of the likelihood of the scarcity of paper in the near future?
§ Mr. MacmillanWe are continually pressing the local authorities on the matter. There is a variation in the success with which they carry out our instructions, and we have the matter continually in view and are pressing it forward.
§ Commander Locker-LampsonWill my hon. Friend stop pamphlets being issued to Members of Parliament?