§ 36. Mr. William Shepherdasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the wide disparity in the salvage efforts of local authorities; and what practical steps are being taken to bring the less efficient authorities up to a higher level.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. Belcher)Yes, Sir. I am aware of this disparity and a special approach is being made to the local authorities for the larger areas where salvage collections are below the average. It would greatly help the authorities in their work if householders would not only make available larger quantities of waste materials but keep them separate for collection.
§ Mr. ShepherdCannot the hon. Gentleman get more imagination into this drive, because salvage is an important means of saving dollars, and is he aware that sufficient is not being done at the present time with regard to this matter?
§ Mr. BelcherI agree about the importance of salvage, and as to getting imagination into the drive, I think that the steps we are now taking will improve the matter materially.
§ Mr. SharpWill the Parliamentary Secretary consider sending to those authorities who are less efficient, details of the methods employed by the more successful authorities and the results they have achieved?
§ Mr. BelcherI will consider that. We want to be careful not to take steps that will antagonise one local authority against another.
§ Mr. Orr-EwingIs the hon. Gentleman aware that material is being imported which could be recovered by means of salvage; and will he draw the attention of local authorities to the fact that, unless they themselves take action, they will 1182 never persuade people to collect their salvage in different types of utensils? Also, in view of the grave urgency of this matter, may we have a record of the salvage results placed in the Library of the House?
§ Mr. BelcherI will certainly consider that.